On Saturday-evening, Cercle face KAA Gent at home as part of the third matchday of the European Playoffs. After suffering an early red card, our Groen-Zwart had a difficult evening, losing 0-4 to the Buffaloes after a goal by Cuypers and a hat-trick by Orban.
Ten-man Cercle have a difficult evening at home against Gent: 0-4
Cercle started the match as the most threatening team, but it was Gent who had the first big chance, after six minutes. After good combination play on the right flank, Samoise was able to cross the ball low towards Orban. The Nigerian striker was not yet sharp, though, and he shot a meter wide of goal. Cercle did offer the Buffalos some resistance and would also threaten a few times, but the greatest chances were coming for the visitors as Majecki kept both Hjulsager and Orban from scoring the opening goal within minutes.
The game would turn completely in favor of the visitors, though, when Ravych received a second yellow card after just 22 minutes. Our Groen-Zwart didn't immediately give in, despite being a man down, but couldn't keep the Buffaloes from opening the scoring. Just before the break, Cuypers, on a cross from Kums, scored with a pinpoint finish.
Cercle initially went full out for three points in the second half and continued to apply a high press to their opponents. With ten players, however, that turned out to be no easy task. After five minutes, the visitors had already found space behind the Cercle defence: Kums found Orban with a well-played long ball and he calmly slotted home to make it 2-0.
Gent continued to make life for Cercle difficult in the second half. A little past the hour, Tissoudali would also be found with a long ball. He laid it off for Orban, who would score his second of the evening. A few minutes later, the Nigerian forward struck again. He was again found with a long ball in on goal and beat Majecki to complete his hat-trick and seal the final result, 0-4.
Cercle tried to score a consolation near the end of the match, and came close with a shot by Kevin Denkey that came off the post. In the end, though, the Association had to accept a heavy defeat.
Cercle Brugge KSV: Majecki, Daland, Popovic, Gboho (Van Der Bruggen 46’), Francis (Denkey 65’), Lopes Da Silva (Vanhoutte 81’), Deman, Somers, Ueda (Ueda 69’), Siquet (Decostere 69’), Ravych
KAA Gent: Nardi (Roef 81’), Piatkowski, Hong (Fofana 86’), Cuypers, De Sart, Castro-Montes (Lagae 81’), Hjulsager (Tissoudali 59’), Samoise, Orban, Torunarigha, Kums
Goals: Cuypers (42’ 0-1), Orban (51’ 0-2), Orban (64’ 0-3), Orban (67’ 0-4)
