Union grind out nervy draw at OH Leuven

Union started the match brightly and pushed OH Leuven back into their own half. Florucz and Guilherme were involved early on, before the hosts gradually worked their way back into the game and increased the pressure. Scherpen had a scare while attempting to clear the ball, as Ikwuemesi nearly intercepted, but the ball fortunately bounced back into the goalkeeper’s hands. OH Leuven then earned a free kick, which was flicked on before Schrijvers sent an improvised volley over the bar.

Union threatened on the counter through Patris, who surged forward before picking out Ait El Hadj. His effort, however, was blocked in time. Florucz later took a free kick for the visitors, which the goalkeeper pushed away. Leysen collected the rebound and laid the ball off to Schoofs, whose shot was once again blocked. From the resulting corner, Leysen headed wide.

Just before the half-hour mark, Union created their first genuine chance. Schoofs fired a long-range effort towards El Hadj, who ran into the box and attempted a first-time finish, but he caught the ball with his knee and sent it wide. OH Leuven responded immediately with their best opportunity of the half, as Akimoto flicked on a header and Schrijvers narrowly failed to connect at the far post. The first half ended without either side managing a meaningful attempt on goal.

The second half opened with a free kick for Union, which Leysen headed wide once again. OH Leuven then grew increasingly dominant and came close to taking the lead. Schrijvers took a quick free kick while Union’s defence was still disorganised, finding Maziz in one touch. The ball deflected off a Brussels defender and struck the post.

Union were fortunate not to concede a penalty following a handball by Guilherme, as the ball hit his chest before brushing his arm. After a VAR review, the referee waved play on. On the hour mark, Zorgane missed a clear chance for Union after good work from Florucz down the left, firing well over the bar. He tried his luck again shortly afterwards, but this time his shot was punched away by Leysen.

OH Leuven continued to apply pressure and came close from a set piece, with Dussenne left unmarked before firing at goal. Scherpen made the save and followed it up with another strong intervention on the rebound.

In added time, Union pushed for a late winner. Substitute Zeneli found space after a neat lay-off from Fuseini, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.

The closing moments were tense for the visitors. Scherpen denied Lakomy with a low save and then escaped punishment in a controversial incident, but the Leuven attacker was flagged offside. In the dying seconds, OH Leuven thought they had scored on the counter-attack, only for Kaba’s rebound finish to be ruled out for offside.

Tough fixtures await next week, with clashes against Atalanta and Club Brugge on the horizon.