Biondic and De Roeve guide Union to 0-2 win at Antwerp

Union claimed a 0-2 victory away to Antwerp at the Bosuil to extend their fine run of form. After a goalless first half in which the two sides cancelled each other out, the visitors took control after the break. Biondic and substitute De Roeve were both on target.

Fresh from a convincing Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen, Union were looking to build on their strong run of form. The visitors came flying out of the blocks, putting Antwerp under immediate pressure and creating a few half-chances in the opening minutes.

No goals, but plenty of tension

In the tenth minute, Union failed to reward a fine passing move with a goal. Sylla picked out Zeneli, who laid the ball off to Patris. He then delivered a superb ball into the box. Biondic headed it towards Mofokeng, who tried to finish first time, but his effort flew over the bar.

Antwerp then briefly took control of proceedings. Following a misunderstanding in the Brussels defence, the home side found an opening for a shot, but it failed to trouble goalkeeper Koffi. An incident between Vermeeren and Zorgane then took the sting out of the game as the two players stood nose-to-nose for a moment.

Antwerp took advantage and created their first real chance. Deuff found room to shoot inside the box, but Sylla got in the way. From the resulting corner, Scott got a shot away, only to see his effort blocked as well.

Union threatened again around the half-hour mark. Mofokeng combined with Patris, who picked out Zeneli with a perfectly weighted pass. The Swede was in a promising position, but his effort went straight at Antwerp goalkeeper Nozawa.

At the start of the second half, both sides looked to create danger on the counter, but neither initially managed to produce a clear-cut chance. Antwerp registered the first shot, with Fofana firing just over the bar.

Union strike first

It was Union who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Mofokeng delivered a cross from the left flank. Biondic brought the ball under control between two defenders before unleashing a powerful finish: 0-1.

The home side responded immediately. A throw-in was flicked on and the ball fell back to Fofana. The Ivorian's effort, however, rolled just wide of the post.

The second goal almost followed, but Guilherme's effort was cleared off the line. The Brazilian fired towards goal and, with a touch of fortune, the ball rolled past goalkeeper Nozawa. It lacked enough pace, though, allowing Cortés to get back and clear it before the onrushing Biondic could finish.

Antwerp were reduced to ten men in the 69th minute. Deuff was shown two yellow cards in quick succession. First, he brought down Rodriguez to stop an attack, before then going through Zeneli, despite being brought down himself by Biondic.

De Roeve seals the win

Substitute Denzel De Roeve eventually put the result beyond doubt for Union. Sylla switched play to the opposite side of the pitch and Guilherme delivered a cross. De Roeve, who had only just come on, smashed the ball home through Nozawa's legs from a central position: 0-2.

In the closing stages, substitutes Rodriguez and Florucz both had chances to add a third, but neither could find the net. Union head into the international break with 19 points from a possible 21.