On matchday 7 of the League Phase in the UEFA Champions League, Club Brugge headed to faraway Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty. After half an hour, Stanković broke the game open with a beautiful blast and shortly after, Vanaken doubled the score from close range. In the second half, Vermant scored a third Bruges goal and Mechele added a goal with his head. Sadybekov's goal in added time was no more than an honorary save for the home team. Club thus booked a convincing victory and remains in with a chance of reaching the next round.
Blauw-Zwart lost last Friday at home against La Louvière and did not have an ideal preparation for the important game against Kairat Almaty. Van den Heuvel and Tzolis were also injured, so there were some changes in Ivan Leko's starting line-up. Jackers was substituted on Friday and started from the beginning. Finally, Tzolis was replaced by Forbs, who formed the attacking trio together with Diakhon and Vermant. Otherwise, the same names as against La Louvière were on the board.
In the opening minutes, Club immediately claimed possession of the ball and this resulted very quickly in a first opportunity for Vetlesen. The Norwegian midfielder pushed well into the sixteen past some defenders, but his shot was ultimately a little too weak to worry goalkeeper Anarbekov. Moments later, it was Diakhon's turn to seek the back line. With a low cross, he then tried to reach Vermant, but the latter's attempt was deflected into a corner. Diakhon was sought out several times in the opening quarter, though, and also created a threat. At speed he came inside, but his shot from outside the sixteen ended up being a deflection. A little after the quarter hour mark, Blauw-Zwart's French winger was much closer with an identical action, but unfortunately the post saved the home team. The Bruges players were increasingly threatening, but Vermant was also unsuccessful. After a good ball recovery by Vanaken, the Bruges striker received the ball outside the penalty area, but his shot with the left missed the right direction.
Shortly after the half hour, Blauw-Zwart then deservedly took the lead anyway! Vetlesen twice dropped the ball into the Kairat Almaty penalty area and there Anarbekov initially boxed the ball away. However, he did so into the feet of Stanković and he did not hesitate to bang the Bruges lead into the nets in one go. The visitors now had confidence and quickly went in search of a second goal. That came just five minutes later! After a quick conversion, Forbs put the ball back for Sabbe, who in turn crossed towards the second post. There Seys emerged and laid the ball off perfectly for Vanaken. The captain from Bruges doubled the score and we went into the break with a 0-2 lead for Blauw-Zwart...
The same 22 players prepared to start the second half and in it it was again Club that claimed possession of the ball. After ten minutes, this produced a good opportunity for a third goal. Forbs looked for Vermant, but he tried to surprise his opponent with a feint. The ball ended up in the feet of Forbs via a Kairat defender, but the Portuguese winger failed to get past Anarbekov at close range. Shortly after, Forbs was sent deep again and tried to get past Mata at speed. Club's winger was not able to print sufficiently. A little after the hour, Diakhon had a nice action and he laid back for Forbs at the perfect moment. Forbs immediately headed towards goal, but unfortunately could not keep his shot low enough.
After 75 minutes, Blauw-Zwart was able to poke one in! Diakhon rushed past his opponent and then found Vermant in front of goal with his low cross. The latter in turn easily tapped the third Bruges goal against the nets. Club was intent on boosting the goal difference, but Stanković failed to frame his effort this time. That was only a delay, as a fourth goal came after all! Vanaken found the head of Mechele with a subtle ball, and the latter headed the 0-4 past Anarbekov from close range.
In the end, two minutes of extra time were counted, and in it the match still got a somewhat sour ending for Club. Sadybekov controlled the ball outside the penalty area and then kicked the honorable goal past Jackers via the post. After this, ref Rumšas immediately whistled for the end of the match and so Blauw-Zwart did book a convincing and satisfying victory.
UEFA Champions League - League Phase (Day 7)
Spectators: 12,000 - Astana Arena
Referee:Donatas Rumšas (Lit)
Kairat Almaty: Temirlan Anarbekov - Erkin Tapalov (81' Jug Stanojev), Aleksandr Martynovich, Egor Sorokin, Luís Mata - Aleksandr Mrynskiy, Dan Glazer (76' Adilet Sadybekov), Damir Kasabulat (81' Mukhamedali Abish), Jorginho (76' Ricardinho), Valeriy Gromyko - Edmilson (76' Mansur Birkurmanov).
Bench: Danila Buch, Sherhan Kalmurza, Adilet Sadybekov, Alexander Shirobokov, Jug Stanojev, Mukhamedali Abish, Amirbek Bazarbayev, Mansur Birkurmanov, Ramazan Bagdat, Ricardinho.
Coach: Rafael Urazbakhtin.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe (88' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (78' Bjorn Meijer) - Aleksandar Stanković, Hugo Vetlesen (64' Cisse Sandra), Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs (78' Shandre Campbell), Romeo Vermant (78' Nicolò Tresoldi), Mamadou Diakhon.
Bench: Simon Mignolet, Argus Vanden Driessche, Ludovit Reis, Nicolò Tresoldi, Cisse Sandra, Bjorn Meijer, Vince Osuji, Hugo Siquet, Shandre Campbell.
Coach: Ivan Leko.
Yellow cards: Sorokin, Sadybekov
Red cards: none
Goals: 32' Stanković (0-1), 38' Vanaken (0-2), 74' Vermant (0-3), 84' Mechele (0-4), 90+2' Sadybekov (1-4)