Women’s Soccer Super League (Play-off 1) AA Gent Ladies
“We go to Club YLA with the belief that we can take three points,” says 24-year-old Emma Van Britsom (right). — © Nic Declercq
In Play-off 1 of the Super League, AA Gent faces a busy week with three matches in eight days. Coach Jorn Van Ginderdeurs’ team will move to Club YLA on Saturday after last Friday’s first leg ended in a goalless draw. The Buffalos will receive a visit from Racing Genk next Tuesday and will close the difficult triptych on Saturday 22 April with an away match at Standard.
Johan Polet
“We are going to Club YLA with the belief that we can take three points,” says 24-year-old Ghent central midfielder Emma Van Britsom. “We held back blue-black last Friday and felt like there was more to it for us. We gave almost nothing away at the back and came close to the winning goal a few times. We haven’t won the play-offs yet, but we’re not giving up hope. We can make it difficult for any team. We proved that with the 1-1 draw at OH Leuven. It’s about time we finally put a three-pointer in our pocket.”
“It is a good thing that we are in play-off 1,” says Van Britsom. “It was a tough battle against Zulte Waregem, but luckily we came out of that battle as the strongest. The play-offs are a beautiful but also hard learning experience. It is not easy for our young group to reach our best level in every match. This is necessary to make it difficult for top teams such as Anderlecht, OH Leuven and Standard. We still have to grow in this area, but we are making progress every week. It is understandable that we have less experience and maturity than many peers. The main thing is not to commit mistakes that are mercilessly punished.”
Seventh year at AA Gent
“I will also stay with AA Gent next season,” the central midfielder says. “I am here, divided over two campaigns, into my seventh season. In between I was active for one year at Club YLA, whose group of players has changed considerably in recent years. There is hardly anyone with whom I have played in blue-black anymore. I live in the Waasland and feel good at AA Gent. The club has undergone many changes in recent years, but remains very ambitious. In the coming years it will be a matter of narrowing the gap with the top teams with the many young talents. Thanks to a family atmosphere, hard work and a dynamic board, we are well on our way to succeeding in this aim”, concludes Van Britsom.
