Union has expanded its lead over first pursuer Club Brugge to five points. The leader in the highest football class won on Sunday afternoon on the 33rd match day with 1-3 on the field of Standard. Thanks to the victory, Union is certain that it will end the regular competition as number 1. This already provides the PhD student with a ticket for the preliminary round of the Conference League.
Felice Mazzu’s team barely took time for a study round in Sclessin. After a few shots, the visitors were allowed to celebrate for the tenth minute. Teddy Teuma shot in a corner kick in one go, albeit with luck, because the ball deviated from a home player.
Standard reacted via Emond, who saw his attempt shattered against the crossbar after a cross from Carcela. Moments later, the home supporters were allowed to cheer after Moussa Sissako’s equaliser (24.). At Union, goalscorer and captain Teuma had to leave the field injured shortly before. An otherwise invisible top scorer Undav came close to making it 1-2 shortly before the break, but he hit the post.
BRUZZ reports that after the break, the opportunities were scarce. The visitors had the upper hand but barely managed to threaten Henkinet. Twenty minutes before the end, Bart Nieuwkoop found a gap. The Dutch defender headed in after a corner. An impotent Standard tried to force an equaliser in the final quarter, but after a hit by Casper Nielsen in the 83rd minute, the books were all right.
On Sunday, three more matches will be played, and the main thing to look forward to is the match between AA Gent and Anderlecht in the battle for the Champions’ play-offs. The Buffalos move to Cercle Brugge at 4 pm, the Purple & White will receive Charleroi at 6:30 pm. The penultimate match day in the regular competition will be concluded with a match between KRC Genk and Eupen (9pm).
