Club champion after 1-3 win over Antwerp!

Club Brugge took its eighteenth national title after a 1-3 win over Antwerp. Blauw-Zwart went into halftime trailing, but thanks to goals by Vanaken, Hendry and Adamyan, Club took the win and the title!

Bruges' starting line-up underwent three changes compared to Wednesday's game against Union. Stanley Nsoki returned from suspension and took his place at the back, at the expense of Hendry. Tajon Buchanan was himself suspended after his red card against Union and was replaced on the right by Andreas Skov Olsen. Sargis Adamyan also appeared at kickoff. Denis Odoi was sacrificed, leaving De Ketelaere one row back and forming the midfield along with Balanta and Vanaken. Clinton Mata was out injured on Wednesday, but got ready to play in time.

The first danger of the game came from Club, but a cross from Skov Olsen was cleared just in front of Vanaken. Antwerp absolutely wanted to avoid Blauw-Zwart playing champion at the Bosuil and went into a very tough duel. The Bruges players still threatened with a free kick from Skov Olsen, but it was the home team that increasingly took command. A shot by Samatta was blocked and later the striker also saw an attempt hit the outside of the post. After twenty minutes, however, it was a winner: Samatta served Michael Frey, who kicked the 1-0 past Mignolet.

Club failed to respond and, to make matters worse, saw Mata out injured. Hendry was his replacement. Blue-Black did not get into its game, while Antwerp came closer and closer to a second goal. However, an excellent Simon Mignolet was able to limit the damage. First he parried a De Laet effort, then he was able to stop Haroun and a bit later he made a miraculous save after a Samatta header. In between, a breakaway shot by Nainggolan went over and wide.

After halftime, Denis Odoi replaced Balanta. Club immediately went in search of the equalizer and succeeded after only a few minutes. Seck mowed down Lang at the back line and so referee Visser pointed to the spot. Hans Vanaken took responsibility and kicked the 1-1 past Jean Butez.

The Bridge Kings grew into the game and turned the situation completely around midway through the second half. An attempt by Adamyan was blocked, but immediately afterwards Jack Hendry headed in a corner kick from Sobol. Just two minutes later it was even 1-3! A corner by Lang ended up at the second post via Frey's head with Sargis Adamyan, who tapped the ball in from close range.

Club was suddenly in a seat, while Antwerp could no longer make a fist. A cross by Vines was deflected just wide of the goal by Nsoki, and a bit later a shot by Benson went wide. In the closing stages captain Ruud Vormer was substituted, but there were no more goals. It remained 1-3 and Blauw-Zwart won its eighteenth national title!

Champions' play-offs - Playday 5
Spectators: 16.000 - Bosuilstadion
Referee: Lawrence Visser
Antwerp: Jean Butez - Abdoulaye Seck, Dinis Almeida, William Pacho - Koji Miyoshi, Pierre Dwomoh (61' Alhassan Yusuf), Faris Haroun, Radja Nainggolan (61' Michel-Ange Balikwisha), Ritchie De Laet (67' Sam Vines) - Aly Mbwana Samatta, Michael Frey (67' Benson Manuel). Coach: Brian Priske.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata (27' Jack Hendry), Brandon Mechele, Stanley Nsoki - Andreas Skov Olsen, Éder Balanta (46' Denis Odoi), Hans Vanaken, Charles De Ketelaere, Eduard Sobol - Sargis Adamyan (72' Bas Dost), Noa Lang (86' Ruud Vormer). Bank: Senne Lammens, Federico Ricca, Antonio Nusa, Noah Mbamba, Abakar Sylla and Cisse Sandra. Coach: Alfred Schreuder.
Yellow cards: Balanta, Dwomoh, De Laet, Lang, Seck, Odoi, Haroun.
Red cards: none
Goals: 19' Frey (1-0), 49' Vanaken (penalty, 1-1), 64' Hendry (1-2), 66' Adamyan (1-3).

Text: Steven Floin