Royale Union Saint-Gilloise edged KV Mechelen 1–0 on Sunday in the Jupiler Pro League Championship Round, with a decisive goal from Ross Sykes just before half-time proving enough to settle a tight contest.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time. In the 45+2nd minute, defender Ross Sykes struck for Union SG to put the visitors 1–0 up. The goal came against his former club’s current midfielder Rob Schoofs, who was credited with the assist for Union SG, completing the move that ultimately decided the match.
KV Mechelen were unable to find a response after the interval despite making several attacking changes. The hosts introduced Bouke Boersma, Keano Vanrafelghem, Maxim Kireev and Bilal Bafdili in the second half as they chased an equaliser, but Union SG held firm.
The game grew increasingly combative after the break. Union SG’s Christian Burgess was booked in the 53rd minute, before Mechelen’s Frédéric Vanderbiest and Mathis Servais saw yellow in the 71st and 81st minutes respectively. A flurry of late cautions followed for Union SG in stoppage time, with Anan Khalaili, David Hubert, Raul Florucz and Ivan Pavlic all going into the referee’s book around the 90th minute.
Substitutions also shaped the contest. For Union SG, Raul Florucz replaced Kevin Rodríguez on 65 minutes, while Mohammed Fuseini and Kamiel Van De Perre were introduced in the 76th minute. In the closing stages, Ivan Pavlic came on for provider Rob Schoofs.
Union SG’s narrow away victory strengthens their position in the Jupiler Pro League Championship Round standings, while Mechelen are left to rue missed opportunities at home. Detailed statistical data beyond goals, cards and substitutions was not available at the time of writing.
Full match details can be found on Ballaxy: KV Mechelen vs Union SG.
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