Published
2025-09-13
Rodriguez secures late win for Union against Dender
After the international break, our Unionists were faced with Dender. In a very tight match with little goal threat, we came away with a narrow 1-0 win. Dender held out for a long time with strong defending, but in the final stages, substitute Rodriguez secured all three points for Union.
From the start, Dender set up a compact block and gave away little space. Union searched for openings but struggled to break through the back line. The hosts tried to threaten on the counter, but by the halfway point of the first half neither side had registered a shot on target.
The first real chance fell to Rasmussen, who volleyed a high ball from Khalaili over the bar. Moments later, a dangerous cross from Niang flashed between goalkeeper and defenders, but no Union player was there at the far post to finish.
At the other end, Dender had a couple of opportunities from set pieces. Marijnissen got a free header from a free kick, but it was no trouble for Union keeper Scherpen.
Right before half-time, Union had the best opportunity. David laid the ball off to Khalaili, who whipped in a cross. Zorgane’s header looked destined for the net, but Dender goalkeeper Verrips pulled off a brilliant reflex save.
In the 66th minute, coach Poco brought on newcomers Rob Schoofs and Louis Patris for their first minutes as Union players. After that, a Union goal seemed to be in the air. Union pushed again straight after the restart. Promise David had a golden chance after Florucz combined with Ait El Hadj, who played him through with a first-time pass, but the Canadian missed the target by a few meters.
The pressure kept mounting, and the opener seemed only a matter of time. In the 69th minute, Florucz saw his shot saved by Verrips, and on the rebound Rodriguez tried an overhead kick, but the ball struck the outside of the post.
Finally, in the 81st minute, Union found the breakthrough. Substitute Giger whipped in a cross from the right, which fellow substitute Rodriguez controlled, turned, and finished clinically from a tight angle: 1-0. A victory that gives Union confidence ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League debut against PSV Eindhoven.