Zulte Waregem has done a great job in the battle for preservation. Timmy Simons’ team sent Eupen back to the other side of the country empty-handed.
Zulte Waregem – KAS Eupen in a nutshell:
- key moment: On a sigh of the halftime signal, Eupen gets a penalty kick. Referee Put is called to the screen by the VAR and he reverses his decision, no penalty and so Zulte Waregem goes to rest with a 1-0 lead.
- Man of the match: Just when Zulte Waregem needs them the most, they are there. Sammy Bossut kept his nets clean and Jelle Vossen put his name on the scoreboard once again. The old-age blankets were once again of gold value to Essevee.
- Remarkable: Jelle Vossen has now scored 150 goals at the highest level in Belgium. Great stats and the 32-year-old striker isn’t worn out yet.
Ciranni unpacks, gem of Vossen stranded on the lat
At the Gaverbeek, a real cellar cracker was on the program with Zulte Waregem-Eupen. Due to the poor performance of the penultimate in the Seraing position, the need for both teams was not particularly high, but of course it was possible to win.
Eupen combined nicely for the break, but it was Zulte Waregem that scored. Ciranni wonderfully processed a deviated cross from Dompé with a fantastic goal. The defender tipped the ball over Nurudeen into the goal with his heel: 1-0.
Eupen then dominated and came close to equalizing, but Sammy Bossut stood firm. Just before half time, referee Put put the ball on the spot after Boya’s alleged hand play, but the VAR reversed that decision.
After the break, a mak Eupen went completely under. Dompé doubled the score with a deflected shot and immediately afterwards Vossen almost scored a goal that would go around the world.
The striker started from his own half, but Nurudeen was back just in time to push his wonderful blast against the bar. Ten minutes before the end, Vossen scored his goal, he converted a penalty.
Zulte Waregem puts the penultimate in the Seraing position at 9 points and now seems really safe. It also looks good for Eupen with a lead of 8 points over the people of Liège.
Vossen: “We are still trying to score a lot of goals”
- Jelle Vossen (Zulte Waregem): “This is a vital win, you have to win these kinds of matches if you don’t want to keep worrying. We were in good shape and had opportunities to deepen the score. This is a wonderful feeling.”
Vossen made his 150th goal in the Jupiler Pro League, which could also have been that great bang from before the middle line: “That would of course have been even better than that penalty a little later. The moment I got the ball, I saw Nurudeen high and I hit the ball perfectly. Unfortunately, he still gets it.”
“I am very proud that I can round that cape. I have been involved for a while, but it is a great list to be in. Although it is my intention to add another suit.”
- Jens Cools (KAS Eupen): “These are hard numbers, we expected more beforehand. We did not do it badly after the opening goal, but without creating any real danger.”
“In the second half we couldn’t push through and after the 2-0 and 3-0 it was over. At Seraing we still have a nice bonus, if they don’t manage to win tomorrow at Standard then it’s over. I think.”
Simons: “Vossen lets other boys play better football”
After the game, a visibly relieved Timmy Simons: “Everyone at the club is very satisfied with this. It is the second home game in a row that we can win. The support of the supporters gave us a boost. It was nice to be part of it.”
Essevee now has 9 points ahead of Seraing: “This is also a mental blow to the competition. We have to look at ourselves, we worked hard for it and we just deserve this.”
“The role that Jelle Vossen plays is also great. He puts so much energy into everything, chapeau to him that he scores again today. He lets the rest of the team play better.”
Also Eupen coach Michael Valkanis gave his analysis: “The result does not tell the story of this match. We dominated in the initial phase, but then conceded an unlikely goal. Even at Zulte Waregem, they did not expect that ball to enter.”
“Furthermore, that penalty phase was a question mark for me, we have to reconsider that thoroughly. In the second half we get another one, it was just a strange match.”
“I had the feeling that Zulte Waregem didn’t get any chances, but did win. We have to remember the good things about this match and try to do better next game.”
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Goal number 150 for Vossen in Belgium
