Belgium: Action for Fashion Sakala in KV Oostende’s disappointing loss.

Rangers bound Chipolopolo striker Fashion Sakala put-in a good 70 minutes shift as 10-man KV Oostende were beaten 0 – 4 by visitors, Gent in a Europa League playoff match.

The ‘Kustboys’ were outclassed by Gent following their goalkeeper’s sending off in the 34^th minute.

Prior to that, the encounter was evenly balanced with both sides attacking at will.

Sakala had the first real chance of the game in 8^th minute. He couldn’t connect with a low cross from the right inside the penalty area.

Twelve minutes later, Gent’s Bezus gave Gent the lead. He outran 3 defenders, then coolly chipped the ball passed the on-rushing goalie into the back of the net (0-1).

Sakala was involved in the next big chance for KVO. He laid the ball neatly into the path of D’Arpino outside the box. The resulting shot on target was well saved.

Moment of madness!

The game deciding moment came in the 34^th minute when Hubert, KVO’s goalie was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bezus outside the box.

Hubert rushed out of his post to trip Bezus without any real danger.

With KVO down to 10 men, Gent easily bossed the game and grabbed a deserved second goal in the 43^rd minute.

Unmarked Castro-Montes finished off a delightful team build up with a curled strike into the top left corner from close range to make it 0-2.

After the break, Gent continued to attack and were almost rewarded when a long-range shot came off the post in the 55^th minute.

Fashion Masterclass!

From the resulting counter-attack, Sakala produced KVO’s best chance of the game. He skinned his marker on left, before cutting inside and forcing a good save from Gent’s keeper!

Soon after, Gent tripled their lead when KVO’s defender turned a free kick into his own net (0-3).

Gent wrapped the game in the 66^th minute when another team build up ended with Bezus slotting his second goal of the match.

Fashion Sakala was rested in the 70^th minute for Senegalese international, Makhtar Gueye following a good shift.

The visitors had more chances to extend the lead but for poor finishing. The game finished 0-4.

The Situation

Following today’s result, Gent lead the Europa League play off group of 4 teams with 32 points.

KV Oostende remain third on 30 points.

Other teams in the group are second placed Mechelen, also on 32 points and fourth placed Standard Liege on 30 points.

Two more rounds of fixtures are left to play.

Only the winner of the 4-team mini league will qualify for next season’s Europa League football.