The final hurdle towards the Europa League group stage has become too high for AA Gent after a painful defeat to Omonia Nicosia. The home team had many chances, but conceded two goals. If you can’t rectify the situation in Cyprus next week, there is still a Conference League safety net.
AA Gent – Omonia Nicosia in a nutshell:
- Key moment: After a poor first half, Ghent showed plenty of Grinta after the break and gets very close to 1-1 midway through the second half. But neither Kuipers nor Depuytre can score head-to-head with goalkeeper Fabiano.
- man of the match: Fabiano Ribeiro de Freitas, it’s a name that sounds like music, but in Ghent, they got a headache from Omonia goalkeeper. The Brazilian made some crucial saves in the first half and proved to be a time saver.
- noticeable: For the second year in a row, Omonia Nicosia is causing problems for the Belgian team. Last season Antwerp narrowly beat the Cypriots in the same qualifying stage. Omonia then won 4-2 at home, but Antwerp won the second leg 2-0 and won on penalties.
Slap Gent has no answer to acute Omonia
A.A. Gent won the Belgian Cup last season, Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus. The two teams also faced their first European match this season. Lots of similarities, because on the field Omonia showed a lot more offensive spirit than the unflinching Ghent, with newcomer Hauge on the starting line right away.
The Cypriot acquisition did not result in great opportunities, but the visiting luck was on their side. Charalampous’ shot deflected and left Roef without a chance. Halfway through the first half, Ghent looked behind.
But even after that, Ghent was not under pressure. Omonia continued to choose offensively, Ghent’s defense had a particularly difficult time with the high pressure from the visitors. Only shortly before the end of the first half the home team finally got a ball between the crossbars. Fabiano had to extend fully in a good shot by Hauge.
She sang leaves 1-1 and gets a cover on the nose
After an unfortunate first half, Gent changed after the break. With substitute Odjidja between the lines, the home team showed a lot of Grinta. However, Gent was not so lucky for Omonia at 0-1. Kuipers’ header hit the post and in the second half Odega narrowly missed.
Gent pressure increased, it was 1-1 in the air. Kuipers came very close, but was unable to pass the ball past Fabiano from close range. De Poetry, who came for what turned out to be Hauge for the first time, also missed a huge opportunity head-on with goalkeeper Omonia.
Those mistakes cost Ghent dearly, because fifteen minutes before the end, Omonia struck again mercilessly. Parker, who just came in, got plenty of room in the box and gave Roef the check with a great shot. 2 chances, 2 goals for Cypriots. A stark contrast to the mistakes Gent made after the break.
The Europa League group stage is far away, Gent needs a little miracle next week in the Nicosia heat. A Conference League safety net looms large.
Hanche-Olsen: “A tough challenge, but not an impossible one”
“This is not the result we wanted, this is very disappointing. We were hoping to go to Cyprus with a good result, but instead we now have a particularly difficult challenge,” Andreas Hansch Olsen said disappointedly after the match.
“Efficiency made the difference today, but we also have to look at ourselves. Our first half was just below par, and we’re not happy with that at all.”
“We played really well in the second half. They only got there once in our last 16 and scored a goal. It’s in the details and they weren’t with us today, but we didn’t force them in our way either. We don’t have anything. The miracle is needed next week. This will be A tough challenge, but not an impossible one. We have come out of tough situations.”
Vanhaezebrouck: “Neither sharp nor aggressive”
In his analysis, Hein Vanhaezebrouck immediately put his finger on the wound: the younger first half of his team. “No one expected this, I don’t even think our opponent. But if you start a Europa League game in a semi-league, it’s not enough.”
“In the first half the football was not good enough, but the intensity and aggressiveness were not. We scored another poor goal. You can say unfortunately, but if it is a skewed ball every time, it is simply because you are late. The shot should be banned. before you swerve.”
“In the second half we showed we were much better, but unfortunately we didn’t score. However, we had incredible dominance with some very good chances. We also got the cover, and that wasn’t a win at all.”
“Now we have to go there in very difficult circumstances, against an opponent who can wait. It will not be easy, but it is possible to continue qualifying. If we finish the chances that we missed today, it may still be possible., but then we will have to We are more intense for 90 minutes than we are today.”
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