CERCLE BRUGGE - KV OOSTENDE 0 - 1
The Coastal Boys take 3 important points after a beautiful free kick by D'Arpino and a collectively strong game at the in form Cercle Brugge.
Given the results of the matches in the eve, a points win against Cercle was important. This was not an easy task as the club took an unprecedented 21 out of 24 points in the last 8 games. Markus Pflanz had to adjust his starting eleven as Sakamoto had to withdraw with a positive COVID test. On the other hand, he could again count on D'Arpino.
The first Bruges attack immediately resulted in a home goal. However, after intervention by VAR, Matondo's goal was disallowed for offside. KVO's reaction was a shot from D'Haese that went wide, but again the referee whistled for offside. The home team had to make two substitutions in the defensive department early on. Vitinho, who had come on as a substitute, was immediately shown yellow after he brought down the zealous D'Haese. Duncan tried with a ground shot but his effort whizzed past, while Bätzner decided on Didillon from an angled corner. Shortly before halftime, Matondo had a chance off a Miangue cross but he angled the ball towards the stands. Just before the break, Cercle was awarded a penalty after Bätzner touched the ball with his arm. After the VAR intervened, Denil reversed his decision and we went to rest with a score that was only for the best.
After bad defending the Coastboys escaped an early deficit but Hubert made sure that Matondo could not score. At the other end D'Haese made his way through the Bruges defence but his shot was badly blocked. The home team reacted through Miangue but the Ostend goalie saved his effort. The visitors tried to make the most of the fast changeovers with D'Haese and Ambrose constantly on the lookout. On the hour Cercle pushed the gas pedal harder but Hubert saved Lopes' header from the penalty area after a tussle in front of goal. The next chance was again for the Association but Denkey decided to head wildly wide. The visitors responded timidly with a header from Kvasina that was picked out by Didillon. However, it was the Coastal Boys who took the lead. The broken through D'Haese was brought down outside the rectangle. D'Arpino, our little general placed the free kick masterfully into the top corner (0-1). With 10′ to go, Pflanz made three substitutions to consolidate the small lead. The best chance of the game was for McGeehan and co. The tired Ambrose saw his long-distance effort blocked by Didillon.
Goals: 75′ 0-1 (D'Arpino)
Yellow cards: 30′ Vitinho, 33'D'Arpino, 50′ Medley
Referee: Mr. Denil
Team compositions:
Cercle Brugge: Didillon, Daland (27′ Utkus), Popovic, Decostere (26′ Vitinho), Hotic, Matondo, Vanhoutte (78′ Ganvoula), Miangue, Da Silva Lopes, Deman (46′ Denkey), Van der Bruggen
Invaders: Warleson, Vitinho, Velkovski, Utkus, Kanouté, Ganvoula, Denkey
KV Ostend: Hubert, Jäkel, Tanghe, Medley, Ndicka (81'Atanga), Duncan (88′ Wylin), D'Arpino (81′ Koziello), Bätzner (70′ Kvasina), McGeehan, D'Haese (81′ Capon), Ambrose
Invaders: Badu, Capon, Wylin, Koziello, Atanga, Kvasina, Gueye
