Gent delivered a commanding performance against Standard Liege, securing a 4-0 victory in the Jupiler Pro League at Stade Maurice Dufrasne. Wilfried Kanga's remarkable hat-trick, completed with goals in the 11th, 31st, and 84th minutes, set the tone for Gent's emphatic win. Michal Skoras and Abdelkahar Kadri played pivotal roles in creating opportunities that left the home side scrambling.
Early Double from Kanga Stuns Liege
Right from the start, Gent asserted their dominance. Kanga opened the scoring in the 11th minute, capitalizing on an assist from A. Kadri. Not long after, Kanga doubled the lead in the 31st minute, this time assisted by A. Ito. Standard Liege struggled to respond, with their attempts thwarted by Gent’s resolute defense and their own lack of precision, evidenced by just one shot on target despite ample possession.
Gent's Control and Kanga's Heroics
The second half saw Standard Liege making several substitutions in a bid to alter the game's momentum. However, Gent remained unyielding. Kanga completed his hat-trick in the 84th minute with a clinical finish, after which M. Paskotsi added a fourth goal in the 88th minute. Despite holding 59% of the possession and completing 491 passes, Standard Liege could not find a way through Gent's disciplined defense.
Statistics Reflect Liege's Misfortune
Standard Liege's frustrations were mirrored in the statistics. Despite their control of the ball, they only managed 1 shot on target out of 13 attempts. In contrast, Gent had 8 shots on target from 15 attempts, a testament to their sharpness in front of goal. Gent's efficient performance was complemented by their tactical discipline, committing fewer fouls and successfully executing their game plan.
Upcoming Challenges for Standard Liege
This defeat extends Standard Liege’s challenging run in the league, with recent results suggesting a need for strategic reassessment. Their form, marked by previous losses, hints at underlying issues that require addressing. Conversely, Gent will look to build on this victory as they aim to climb further up the standings, buoyed by their recent form and Kanga's standout performance.
