Union crowned champions of the regular season

On the final matchday of the regular season, Union travelled to Sint-Truiden, third in the standings. Coach Hubert was without key players Scherpen, Van de Perre and Rodriguez, but that did not stop the Brussels side from pressing from the first whistle. Biondic headed early towards goalkeeper Kokubo, without threatening.

Sint-Truiden waited patiently for the right moment to strike: Hata crossed from the left, but Chambaere was well positioned. Shortly after, another cross just grazed past goal without any home player able to get a touch on it.

The hosts gradually took control, but Union lurked dangerously on the counter. Zeneli won the ball back and combined cleverly down the flank, but his shot went wide.

After a quarter of an hour, Union won a corner. Zeneli delivered it and Burgess arrived completely unmarked at the far post, heading neatly into the net: 0-1. The goal lifted Union and the Brusselaars wanted more.

A few minutes later Biondic headed again towards Kokubo. Ait El Hadj and Zorgane combined well in the follow-up, but it only produced a harmless corner. Then Sykes fought his way free in the penalty area and bundled the ball over the line with his knee: 0-2. Just four minutes after the opener, Union had doubled their lead.

Few clear chances were created at either end for the remainder of the first half. Thanks to the headed goals from Burgess and Sykes, Union went into the break with a comfortable advantage.

Sint-Truiden came out firing after the interval and thought they had scored quickly through Muja and Goto, but VAR intervened: offside. At the other end, Union made them pay minutes later. On the counter, Guilherme cut inside on the left and found Zeneli, who headed into the bottom corner: 0-3.

Union kept pressing for more. Substitute Fuseini had two chances but lacked power on both efforts. Shortly after, Pavlic thundered a shot from outside the box against the post.

On the 79th minute, the hosts finally pulled one back. From a corner, a header first struck the crossbar before Diouf was quickest to react and nodded home: 1-3. The same Diouf threatened again moments later, but Sykes blocked his header just in time. Union were never troubled after that.

With a strong performance, Union secured a deserved away victory against Sint-Truiden. Union thus finishes the regular season as winners and is also guaranteed a European ticket for next season. The schedule for the Champions’ Play-offs will be announced on Monday evening.