Anderlecht and Gent draw opening games in European competition qualifiers | OneFootball

Anderlecht and Gent began their respective European qualification campaigns on Thursday evening. Anderlecht were in action in the Europa League qualification phases, while Gent entered the Conference League qualification rounds. Both were away from home, and both return home with their ties even.

Anderlecht travelled to Stockholm to face Hammarby and got off to a great start. Danylo Sikan opened the scoring after just six minutes, although Anderlecht then allowed the Swedish side to have the majority of the ball. Given that Hammarby have been playing domestic football again the past few weeks, it was always going to be a tough game for Anderlecht. However they held out for the majority of the game until young Ghanaian midfielder Frank Junior Adjei came off the bench to grab an equaliser. They certainly hadn’t been helped by a 79th minute red card for Canadian international Nathan Saliba.

Gent were in Poland to face Ukrainian side LNZ Cherkasy. Gent had the better of the chances, with 10 shots on target but they were unable to find a breakthrough against their opposition. However, they were also able to keep their opponents out, returning to Gent next week with a good chance to progress. Unlike Anderlecht, Gent don’t have a second chance if they lose in this round.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson