Cercle Brugge secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Oud-Heverlee Leuven (OHL) with yet another dramatic finish, underscored by the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the dying moments of the match. Kazeem Olaigbe stepped up to the penalty spot and converted the decisive goal, ensuring his team's rise to 13th place in the standings.
The match, played at Cercle's home ground, showcased the intense rivalry between the two sides, both newly energized by their recent coaching changes. New coaches Gerhard Feldhofer for OHL and Omer Efe for Cercle had brought optimism to their respective teams, as both had remained unbeaten under their guidance prior to this clash. OHL started brightly, with players like Banzuzi threatening early on, but they struggled to convert their chances.
After several missed opportunities by OHL, the tide seemed to shift as the match wore on. Cercle Brugge finally found their footing late, but it looked like the match would end goalless. That was until the 10th minute of added time, when Olaigbe was fouled inside the box, prompting the referee, Allaerts, to consult the VAR. After reviewing the play, Allaerts awarded the penalty, much to the frustration of the OHL players.
Olaigbe said after the match, "I felt no pressure. I already knew I would score. It was the last kick of the match. You have to keep composed and seize the opportunity." His confidence shone through as he coolly finished the penalty kick, sending the home crowd wild.
His goal, albeit hard-fought, was met with disappointment from the OHL side, highlighting the continuing struggles they face this season. Siebe Schrijvers, the captain for OHL, lamented, "I don't think it gets any more painful than today. This was the only way they could score. It happened at the last minute. We had chances throughout the game and should have finished at least one of them. This kind of situation is nothing new for us, and we are working hard to turn it around. We should have taken at least one point tonight, ideally three."
The match was highly physical and tense, characterized by several hard tackles and confrontations between the teams, leading to multiple yellow cards. OHL's Mitrovic and N'Dri both had opportunities to score but were unable to find the net due to strong goalkeeping by Cercle’s Delanghe. His performance was pivotal as he made several key saves, particularly as OHL began to crowd the goal late on.
Cercle’s victory not only lifts them above STVV and Kortrijk but also adds pressure on OHL, who missed the chance to create significant distance from the relegation zone. With the match clock dwindling down, both teams were desperate to secure points, and tensions boiled over as Cercle's bench exchanged words with OHL players following some heated exchanges on the pitch.
Fans of both teams witnessed yet another enthralling encounter filled with drama and tension, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Jupiler Pro League, where every point counts. With the season well underway, both coaches will be focusing on improving their squads' finishing abilities, as neither team has proven particularly prolific goal scorers, evidenced by the low goal tally throughout the match.
Reflecting on the match, the feeling among Cercle fans would be one of relief mixed with a newfound hope, especially with players like Olaigbe stepping up when it matters most. This penalty may have secured three points, but it also serves as motivation for what lies ahead.
Cercle Brugge's exciting finish points to even more thrilling encounters to come, as the fight for survival and success continues to escalate across the league.
