Union drop first points at home

Union were held to a 0-0 draw by Zulte Waregem. It was an uninspiring encounter in which debutant Koffi stood out with several fine saves. In the second half, he appeared to have been beaten, but referee D’Hondt disallowed the goal for an attacking foul on the Brussels goalkeeper.

Under a blazing sun, Union played their first home game at the Joseph Mariën Stadium. They were looking to put the defeat against Bodø/Glimt behind them and make it back-to-back wins. David was surprisingly absent, while Hubert handed new signing Hervé Koffi his debut between the sticks.

Koffi makes his mark

Union created the first opening of the game. Guilherme sent a ball in behind the defence for Fuseini. He cleverly drifted towards the outside before trying his luck, but he could not beat Waregem goalkeeper Bostyn.

In the 20th minute, debutant Koffi came to Union’s rescue for the first time. Leysen played a poor ball back and Hedl pounced on the mistake. He raced through one-on-one with Koffi, but the Brussels goalkeeper blocked his effort. The danger was not over, though. A few minutes later, Havenaar conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Aké aimed for the bottom-right corner, but Zeneli, standing in the wall, stopped the ball with his face. The Swede needed a moment to recover.

On the half-hour mark, the visitors missed another good opportunity. Koffi made a save to keep out Hedl’s powerful effort. In the closing stages of the first half, Union showed a glimpse of danger once more. A long ball was headed away by the Waregem defence, leaving Florucz through on goal. However, the Austrian took too long to get the ball under control and could not get his shot away.

More attacking second half

The supporters were hoping for a more attacking second half, and they got their wish straight after the restart. Mac Allister launched a long throw into the box, which Patris flicked on towards Florucz. The Austrian got a shot away, but Patris had fallen to the ground and inadvertently blocked Florucz’s effort.

Guilherme produced the first real threat. He skipped past several defenders before firing towards the near post. Waregem goalkeeper Bostyn just managed to keep the ball out. Less than a minute later, Union were threatening again. Florucz initiated the move and picked out Guilherme. The Brazilian fired another effort, this time through the legs of a defender, but Bostyn was equal to it once again.

Hubert then brought on substitutes Mofokeng and Biondic. The changes immediately gave the Brussels side a fresh attacking impetus. In the 65th minute, it almost paid off. Patris delivered a cross and Fuseini made a clever run into the box. He smashed his effort against the woodwork, but the ball did not cross the goal line.

Union escape

Zulte Waregem threatened again from a free kick in the 68th minute. Ementa made a run towards the far post and looked ready to attack the ball with his head. Schoofs got in the way and prevented the chance.

Three minutes later, Union escaped going behind. From a corner, Kiilerich rose at the far post and headed the ball into the net. However, referee D’Hondt had already blown for an attacking foul on Koffi. The goal was therefore ruled out and the score remained 0-0.

Union continued to push for all three points in the closing stages. Zorgane delivered a superb cross towards Mofokeng, but he could not control and shoot in the same movement. Biondic and Fuseini combined for another attacking move, but once again there was no end product.