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Whoops, again Bengal’s fire before kick-off. Despite Thursday, this time it didn’t come from the Antwerpers, but from the Buffalos. In the visitor’s section, even a small fire starts. No drama, it was over quickly and the match could start right on time.

Ghent force majeure

The first half hour was entirely from AA Gent. Antwerp gave too much space behind the visitors – and there a lot of room for individual mistakes. Attackers Depoitre and Chakvetadze were constantly sent deep. With success, because it has also led to dangerous situations on several occasions, but luckily for the Great Old their sights were not sharp.

Antwerp could offer very little in return. Their best chance was actually none. Miyoshi should always have scored a lone Fischer in the first minute, but he lingered too long. Gone chance. Top shooter Frey, who stood on an island.

Turning point

It seemed as if we were waiting for the 0-1, but on the half hour the whole game changed. Chakvetadze tackled on Gerkens’ heel, referee Boucaut checked the screen and grabbed the back pocket: straight red. Another hour against ten men… That couldn’t go wrong for the Great Old.

But still. Antwerp lacked the power to take over completely. As time ticked away in the second half, the crowd started to grumble even more. Where is that goal, say? Opportunities did come – Fischer, Almeida, Samatta – but Bolat was keen to keep a clean slate in his old home. Nine teammates are likely to attack in the future, with more dangerous Tissoudali as a substitute.

Inevitable Frey

Only in the 78th minute could the Tawny Owl explode. Bolat pushed a wonderful free kick from Verstraete against the crossbar, but Frey followed and headed in the rebound. He barely got around to it all evening, but that’s what you get when you have the top scorer in the house. Already scored for the sixth league game in a row, his twelfth in total and above all: finally 1-0.

Antwerpse sang the song without false notes and can therefore present an excellent report. 15 out of 15 in the Jupiler Pro League and first in the standings. depending on the result in the last match between Eupen and Genk, it may still have to share that leading position.