Union Saint-Gillis celebrated another successful outing on Sunday afternoon as they triumphed over KVC Westerlo with a score of 3-1 at the Dudenpark, bolstered by the stunning performance of Franjo Ivanovic, who achieved a hat trick.
The match started at a brisk pace with both teams creating opportunities. Although initially dominated by Union, including a near-miss from Promise David who struck the post, it wasn't until the 40th minute when they broke the deadlock. A corner kick taken by David was poorly cleared by the Westerlo defense, allowing the 21-year-old Croatian striker, Ivanovic, to volley the ball home, sending the home crowd to their feet.
Just before halftime, Ivanovic doubled the lead. Westerlo's goalkeeper Nick Gillekens failed to deal with another effort from David, leaving Ivanovic to pounce on the loose ball, finishing it off with clinical precision. With Union heading to the locker room leading 2-0, the momentum was firmly on their side.
The second half saw Ivanovic complete his hat trick just eight minutes after the resumption. Following a swift break, he expertly lobbed Gillekens, placing his shot perfectly and showcasing his sublime skill. With three goals already on the board, it seemed as though the match had sealed its fate for the home side.
Almost immediately after Ivanovic's third, Westerlo responded through Jordan Bos, who sharply headed the ball past Union's goalkeeper, narrowing the gap to 3-1. Despite this attempt, Westerlo struggled to craft any substantial threats; many of their attempts either lacked bite or were thwarted by Union's resilient defense.
The encounter highlighted both teams' contrasting seasons. Union, on one hand, continued their impressive run and has now gone unbeaten across all competitions for eleven matches, solidifying themselves within the top six of the league standings with 27 points. Meanwhile, Westerlo finds themselves on the decline, currently positioned tenth with 22 points, highlighting their struggles as they failed to capitalize on early-season form.
After the match, Ivanovic expressed his joy at achieving his first hat trick for Union, crediting the team’s hard work and evolution since the start of the season. “I am very happy with my first hat trick for Union and with the win. We have been playing well these last few weeks, and we are being rewarded with victories,” Ivanovic shared. His comments echo the sentiments of their coach, Sébastien Pocognoli, who praised his team's energy and commitment.
For Westerlo, Gillekens acknowledged the disappointment, especially coming on as a late substitute for the ill Koen Van Langendonck. “Unfortunately, the result did not turn out as we hoped, especially after our positive start,” he said, illustrating the frustrations faced by the team as they aim to recapture their early momentum.
Looking at the upcoming fixtures, Union will face Club Brugge next week, with expectations running high. Coach Pocognoli stated, “These three points are well-deserved, and I believe we can continue this strong form against tougher opponents.”
The game underscored Union's resurgence as they fight to solidify their position near the top of the league, whereas Westerlo will need to regroup quickly to halt their downward trend. With only four teams intervening before the relegation zone, the next matches will be pivotal for both sides as they look to assert themselves and achieve their respective goals for the season.
