Antwerp has digested the corona infections in the player group well. After the smooth victory against Charleroi, it now also took the full loot in Ostend: 1-2. Frey and Balikwisha turn a deficit into a victory. Antwerp comes next to Club.
KV Oostende – Antwerp in a nutshell:
- Man of the match: Koji Miyoshi replaced a pale Yusuf at halftime and the Japanese immediately brought some more flair to the team at Antwerp. He was also at the base of Balikwisha’s 1-2 with an excellent assist.
- Key moment: No goals in a promising first half, but a quick hit after the coffee. Medley made it 1-0 early in the second half. It turned out to be a wake-up call for Antwerp. The visitors then completely rectify the crooked situation.
- Remarkable: In the last 8 meetings between Antwerp and KV Oostende, the coastal boys only managed to win 1 time against “The Great Old”. So it was impossible to win against Antwerp tonight.
Lots of chances, no goals in the 1st half
“If we’re at our best, we can definitely grab something.” Markus Pflanz had also set his team right. The provisional replacement of the departed Alexander Blessin to Genoa surprised by putting KVO top scorer Gueye on the bench.
Newcomers Duncan and Sakamoto (the first Japanese at Ostend) did get a place in the base. At Antwerp, Ritchie De Laet returned from suspension.
It was the visitors who took up the gauntlet in that initial phase. Benson once got a lot of space and then found Hubert on his way. Dessoleil and Yusuf were also unable to outwit the KVO goalkeeper.
Before the fifteen minutes, Benson, who was still the man in form, had a good chance, but he saw the 0-1 die on Hubert’s foot. Not that KVO didn’t do anything in return. On the contrary. Ambrose once made a nice move and quickly scored on goal. Butez had a nice parade to prevent the 1-0.
The game went back and forth well and the opening goal hung in the air several times. Yusuf had the chance to make it 0-1, but Jäkel saved the shot from the line. A few seconds before that, Frey was offside. That was the case again not much later. Frey wanted to sign for his 18th goal of his season, but the party was canceled due to offside.
Same scenario on the other side. There Ndicka made the nets tremble. After an intervention by the VAR, the Frenchman’s hit was rejected. One shoulder offside.
Frey joins the Antwerp remonte
What didn’t work for a long time, soon happened in the 2nd half: scoring. Sakamoto, nevertheless a pleasant first acquaintance, started a brisk dribble to offer Medley the 1-0.
A cold shower for Antwerp, which, however, did not let the cups hang. Benson went in search of the equalizer in his well-known style. His shot just flew over the far top corner.
Only 2 minutes later it was hit. Nainggolan put the ball well for Michael Frey who did not miss such opportunities this season. Number 18, another important one, hung against the ropes.
Antwerp was not satisfied with that. After a shot by D’Haese, it was the turn of the visitors again. Miyoshi made it to the back line and offered Balikwisha the 1-2.
Mission accomplished. At Antwerp, they can now relax in their seats and watch the competition. “The Great Old” is already putting pressure on leader Union (which hits Genk) and number 2 Club Brugge (Sunday against Standard).
Nainggolan: “We made it difficult for ourselves”
- Robbie D’Haese (KV Oostende): “I am disappointed though. I think we are starting the game very well and creating some chances. It was a game that could go either way. If you score the 1-0 in the 2nd half, then I think that you should definitely hold on to that. Unfortunately we didn’t, but I think this does give hope for the future. We can build on this. Everyone has worked for each other. No one in the team expected Blessin’s departure. But that’s football. Everyone likes Alexander too. Markus also has the same vision and everyone has faith in him.”
- Radja Nainggolan (Antwerp): “I think we made it difficult for ourselves. In the 1st half we can score 2 or 3 times. Against a team that plays on character, it becomes difficult if you fall 1-0 behind. We will win and that means we react well as a team. If you look at the 90 minutes, I think the win is deserved. The important thing is that we get the 3 points and then get out of here. Today we knew we had to win to reach the I wanted to shoot on goal with that assist, but hit the ball all wrong. I just hit it with my tip.”
- Markus Plant (KV Ostend): “We played a good game, but we’re disappointed that we didn’t get any points. I think we fought hard against Antwerp. As I said, it’s a big club and they have a lot of individual qualities. It’s a shame, but Tuesday there is another match. We wanted to see character from our players on the field. Good communication and good team spirit.”
- Brian Priske (Antwerp): “It’s always a difficult game here, because it’s a good team. Good players with offensive powers. We actually tried to play our own game. We did very well in the first 15 to 20 minutes. Actually, it should be 0- 1 but if you don’t finish those chances sometimes you get chances. We are 1-0 behind and then it is always difficult. But I am very proud of the players. They have shown a good mentality. 1-0 behind and then winning 1-2, I think it’s deserved.”
