What a disappointment. AA Gent will soon be in the intermediate round of the Conference League, but made water in Northern Ireland. The Buffaloes actually lost 1-0 to Larne, the weakest team in this third European tournament. In the competition phase, Davy Roef and co. so 17th in the standings. Given the circumstances, this is largely insufficient and painful.
The Titanic was built in Belfast in 1909. The ship was deemed unsinkable. AA Gent also played football in Belfast, because the small stadium in Larne was not approved. The last thing that should happen to the people of Ghent was to die here. The Buffalos were still fighting for the top eight and Larne was the weakest team in the Conference League with zero points. A sloop, at most.
The large blue and white boat sailed out of the harbor, but the vessel did not seem very stable. Coach Wouter Vrancken had made some substitutions, but was that an excuse? No, right. It was logical that 19-year-old youth product Tibe De Vlieger had to look for something in his first starting position, but Gudjohnsen instead of Dean… That Icelander can also show something.
Gudjohnsen was again unable to convince.
Photo: PA
Dramatic field
It was the home team that started the brightest. It was not exactly ‘women and children first’ at Ghent, but Larne actually insisted. With a high cross, Todd should have always headed in the 1-0.
The East Flemish people sometimes made things difficult for themselves. The dramatically bad field certainly played tricks on them. Although that was not the only explanation for a series of bad passes. Was it because AA Gent was already sure of the top 24 that the concentration was not top? Aroujo lost the ball several times and Archie Brown was also deceived several times.
The Northern Irish created a threat through Lusty and there was an unsuccessful penalty check after a handball.
Wouter Vrancken watched it all from the bridge. His team’s football regularly has more downs than ups. The orchestra will continue to play for the time being.
Fortunately, AA Gent itself sometimes came and squeaked. For example, goalkeeper Ferguson had to parry Gandelman’s header, Mitrovic hit the crossbar and Gudjohnsen headed incomprehensibly wide. The striker still lacks a bit of confidence. It doesn’t help that he was once criticized by the fans.
Mitrovic hits wide.
Photo: PA
Despite the brilliant score at half time and the poor level, Ghent still retained a view of the top eight. Knowing that Larne already lost in this campaign to the Slovenian Olimpija and the Belarusian Dinamo Minsk… This was not impossible.
The crowd didn’t go wild, but there were even fewer people here for a European evening than in the Planet Group Arena: 2,500 people. Although we have to give a compliment to the Ghent fans who braved the cold and the spectacle in their blue Christmas outfit.
Vrancken intervened after the break. Momo Sonko had to provide more momentum and 18-year-old Gilles De Meyer came to relieve Aurojo. Ghent now pressed a little more, but could barely get through the closed Northern Irish defense. On the other side it was still all hands on deck at times, especially when striker Ryan shot towards Davy Roef.
Outdone
We were waiting for someone to stand on the bow and shout out: “I am the king of the world.” Wishful thinking. It was Larne who suddenly rose. Archie Brown was beaten again by a cross from the left and Cosgrove scored to make it 1-0. What a loss of face. Brown, in turn, played a hell of a match. Kneusje Larne now suddenly had the prospect of his first points and AA Gent sank further. The view of the top eight was now completely gone.
Northern Irish joy after Cosgrove’s 1-0.
Photo: PA
The Titanic had hit an ice floe and started to sink. All kinds of things were tried to save the day, but without much result. Even with Dean and Delorge in the team, there was no real improvement.
Time ticked away mercilessly.
It became increasingly painful, because a victory might have been enough to finish in the top eight. Now Ghent has to contest that intermediate round in January and has two extra matches ahead of it in the busy programme. Own fault, big bump.
It was a hopeless search for a bright spot. Jack, Jack. There is a boat. Jack. Something like that. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room on the door. The drowning death was a fact.
A visit to Standard awaits this weekend. Does the orchestra continue to play forever?
Now Heidenheim or Betis will follow
The draw for the interim round of the Conference League will also be held on Friday afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland. As is known, the top 8 of the League Phase are directly qualified for the 1/8th finals. Numbers 9 to 24 will be drawn today for the play-off round. Cercle escapes that play-off round as eighth, while AA Gent will be drawn seventeenth against number 16 Heidenheim or number 15 Real Betis. In any case, with a German and a Spanish first division team, it will be a tough one for the Buffaloes. Painful too, when you consider that Ghent had finished in the top eight with a win – at the expense of Cercle Brugge. If Ghent advances, a duel with Chelsea or Portuguese Vitoria awaits. (tjm)
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