Published
2026-04-04
Union kick off play-offs with important win against Sint-Truiden
Union won the opening match of the play-offs. A deflected cross from Guilherme Smith broke the deadlock in the second half, and despite a nervy final quarter of an hour, the Brussels side held on against Sint-Truiden: 1-0. A good start of the Champions’ Play-offs.
Fired up by their singing supporters and drumming fans, Union started the match sharply. The first free kick went to Sint-Truiden, after a collision between Ito and Schoofs. Scherpen collected comfortably. Zorgane and Ait El Hadj then created chances of their own, but both were stopped by a solid wall of Sint-Truiden defenders.
The two sides cancelled each other out. Union's best chance fell to Biondic, who managed to get past Taniguchi and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the defender turned back in time to clear the ball. From corners, Sint-Truiden either headed wide or straight into Scherpen's hands.
In the final ten minutes of the first half, Union reasserted themselves. Chances came in quick succession from Guilherme, Schoofs and Khalaili, but all were kept out by the defence. Half-time score: 0-0.
Union came out noticeably sharper after the break. Khalaili and Guilherme pressed Sint-Truiden high, but goalkeeper Kokubo stood firm. Sint-Truiden managed the occasional counter-attack, though rarely with any real threat.
On 62 minutes, Union's dominance was rewarded: a cross from Guilherme caught both the defence and Kokubo off guard, and the ball bounced its way into the net: 1-0.
After the goal, the game turned scrappy, with frequent stoppages for fouls and substitutions. Guilherme needed treatment after a kick from Vanwesemael, who was booked. He was substituted to warm applause. Rodriguez had a golden chance to make it 2-0, but Kokubo blocked with a sharp reflex. Sint-Truiden also threatened on the break, but Diouf was stopped by an onrushing Scherpen.
The final quarter of an hour brought more tension. Goto was crowded out by the Brussels defence, and Matsuzawa went down in the box after a challenge from Mac Allister — no penalty, but a yellow card.
There was still time for nerves as the final whistle was delayed and Sint-Truiden won a late corner. But Union held firm and claimed a hard-fought, well-deserved victory.
Next week, we travel to KV Mechelen for our second fixture of the Champions’ Play-offs.