Union strike after the break to beat Westerlo 1-5

Union kicked off their league campaign with an impressive 1-5 win away at Westerlo. After the break, the Brussels side took control, with substitutes Mofokeng, Olaru and Guilherme all playing a key role.

To show their support for teammates Sykes and Rodriguez, the Union players walked onto the pitch wearing special shirts. Sykes suffered a shoulder injury in the match against Bodø/Glimt, while Rodriguez was absent due to sad family circumstances.

Union made a slow start to the game as Basette opened the scoring after ten minutes on the counter-attack. Union had to wait until the 27th minute for their first chance, but they immediately made it count. Zeneli turned away from his man before playing Promise through. The Canadian marked his first start of the season with a goal.

After the break, Union took initiative. Raul reached the byline and cut the ball back to Promise, who fired into the side netting. Just five minutes later, Raul was given plenty of space again, this time through the middle. From the edge of the box, he unleashed a shot which took a deflection off a Westerlo player and looped over goalkeeper Jungdal to make it 1-2.

The attacking duo of Promise and Raul was then replaced by Fuseini and Mofokeng. Union continued to push forward, and Schoofs played Mofokeng through. Just three minutes after coming on, he scored his first official goal for Union to make it 1-3.

Union remained in control and continued to threaten. Fuseini found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and tried to round him, but could not get a shot away. Olaru did manage to get his shot away moments later, but his effort was cleared off the line. Westerlo then threatened on the counter, but Chambaere made an excellent save to deny a powerful close-range effort.

But Union wanted more. Guilherme drove forward on the left, cut inside and curled a superb effort into the far top corner, over a number of Westerlo defenders and beyond the goalkeeper's reach. 1-4, and game over.

In the closing stages, Kricfalusi made his first official appearance for Union. Another new signing, Olaru, then added his first Union goal with a fine long-range strike to complete the 1-5 victory.