Buffaloes continue to wait for the first victory of 2024: AA Gent cannot get past Westerlo at home

Buffaloes continue to wait for the first victory of 2024: AA Gent cannot get past Westerlo at home

GENT –

Westerlo seemed to be on its way to victory, but a goal from Gandelman deep in added time gave Ghent a 2-2 draw. The visitors from the Kempen were extremely disappointed, but Ghent’s joy was tempered. The Buffaloes hope that their internationals return soon. Reinforcement is more welcome than ever.

The Buffaloes went looking for their first win of 2024 in front of their own audience and were once again able to call on Torunarigha, who had recovered sufficiently and was therefore the only new name in the Ghent starting eleven. Acquisition Surdez started on the bench again, while newcomer Vermant started immediately for the visitors.

Ghent immediately tried to take control of the game, but after a deflected corner kick from the visitors, Schmidt immediately had to work hard to keep Yow from scoring the opening goal. The Gamecocks emphatically gave possession of the ball to the Buffaloes, but after a mistake by Kandouss, Schmidt had to intervene again to neutralize an attempt by Vermant. The Ghent fans were left wanting for a while, but after a nice move by Yokota, Gerkens fell just short of pushing the Japanese right wing attacker’s cross past Bolat.

That possibility did not immediately provide peace in the Ghent ranks. Even more, Kandouss continued to scratch and after another wrong pass from the Moroccan defender, Westerlo countered sharply. Rommens intercepted and via Madsen and Sydorchuk, Vermant appeared face to face with Schmidt and it was actually immediately 0-1 in the KAA Gent Arena. Ghent had to chase early on to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Romeo Vermant opened the scoring.

Photo: BELGIAN

While Westerlo remained afloat, things went from bad to worse in Ghent. Cuypers was unable to hold the ball up front, while the midfielders failed to put together a full-fledged attack. Yokota was the only home player who still radiated some confidence, but the small, sharp Japanese missed the finesse to create a real goal threat. A header from Gandelman – on a free kick from Kums – that went wide was the only Ghent achievement for a long time.

The blue and white supporters grumbled and the confidence of Vanhaezebrouck’s players shrank visibly. Yet the Buffaloes ultimately went into halftime with a mental boost: Kums took a free kick and found Torunarigha’s head who extended the ball to Gandelman, who left Bolat without a chance. A sigh of relief went through the stadium. 1-1 was also the halftime score and the home team certainly could not grumble about that.

Buffaloes continue to wait for the first victory of 2024: AA Gent cannot get past Westerlo at home

Photo: BELGIAN

Yet the Ghent coach was by no means a happy man halfway through and ultimately decided to replace the mediocre Samoise with Fadiga. Ghent tried to change their course in the opening phase of the second half, but the Buffaloes initially did not get further than a timid shot from De Sart. The fireworks that were set off near the stadium were certainly not illustrative of the spectacle that the players delivered.

In the meantime, the Buffaloes became increasingly annoyed by the match management of ref Bourdeaud’hui. Those frustrations reached a first peak around the hour mark when Brown was punished with a yellow card for protesting, while the visitors went free despite several – mostly minor but disturbing – fouls.

Buffaloes continue to wait for the first victory of 2024: AA Gent cannot get past Westerlo at home

Foto: Isosport

Halfway through the second period, Vanhaezebrouck thought the time was right to also bring in new signing Surdez. The Swiss came to relieve the invisible Gerkens. That extra offensive impulse inspired Ghent to be more decisive, but in the zone of truth they too often lacked confidence and punch. Even after the break, Cuypers remained a shadow of the striker who scored with his eyes closed last year.

The final quarter started and the Buffalos desperately tried to find the winning goal. Westerlo coach De Mil meanwhile brought Chadli and Haspolat into the field as fresh forces. They were cold in the field when Reynolds – left alone by the Ghent defense – headed the chance to score 1-2 wide of Schmidt’s cage. Ghent escaped a fatal counter hit here.

It was only a stay of execution for the Buffaloes because when De Sart unnecessarily ran into Yow, the ref pointed resolutely to the spot. VAR Smet also ruled that it was a penalty and Madsen ice-coldly converted the penalty (1-2). Ghent was now in deep trouble and had to do everything they could to avoid a third defeat in a row. Yokota seemed to become a lifesaver on Brown’s instructions, but his attempt ended up on the target wood. Westerlo bent but did not seem to budge until Kandouss headed an ultimate Ghent corner to Gandelman, who actually scored his second goal of the evening. Ghent escaped, Westerlo was disappointed. Both teams are not making much progress with this draw…

Line-up AA Gent: Schmidt; Samoise (46′ Fadiga), Kandouss, Torunarigha, Brown; Kums, De Sart, Gandelman; Yokota (90 + 5′ Depoitre), Cuypers, Gerkens (67′ Surdez)

Westerlo line-up: Bolat; Reynolds, Bayram, Neustadter, Rommens; Sydorchuk, Fixelles (75′ Haspolat); Yow (90′ Tagir), Madsen, Van Den Keybus (75′ Chadli); Vermant (60′ Frigan)

Goals: 17′ Vermant 0-1, 44′ Gandelman 1-1, 87′ Madsen 1-2 (penalty), 90 + 7′ Gandelman 2-2

Yellow cards: Vermant, Reynolds, Brown, Neustädter, Fixelles, Haspolat, De Sart, Madsen, Rommens

Red cards: none

Referee: Simon Bourdeaud’hui

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