Destination: Kazachstan, on Match Day 7 of the UEFA Champions League League Phase, where Kairat Almaty awaited. Half an hour into the game, Stanković opened up the game with a beautiful blast only to see that lead doubled minutes later as Vanaken tapped it in from close range. In the second half, Vermant scored a third and Mechele headed in Club's 0-4. Sadybekov's added time strike was no more than a footnote in a game that gave Club the convincing victory it so desperately needed. All chances on progressing to the next round are still open.
The hold-up by La Louvière last Friday was not exactly the perfect dress rehearsal prior to the important game against Kairat Almaty. To boot, Van den Heuvel and Tzolis were injured, so some changes in Ivan Leko's starting line-up were expected. Jackers came on on Friday and started from the beginning, while Forbs replaced Tzolis, forming the attacking trio with Diakhon and Vermant. No new names manned the pitch at Astana, where temperatures within the stadium were down to 5 degrees.
An eager opening minutes saw Club immediately claiming possession, resulting in a first opportunity for Vetlesen just seconds in. The Norwegian midfielder pushed through well into the box, but his shot was ultimately a little too weak to worry goalkeeper Anarbekov. Moments later, it was Diakhon's turn to seek the goal line, producing a low cross towards Vermant, but the latter's attempt was deflected into a corner. An industrious Diakhon was found several times in the opening fifteen minutes, asking the Almaty defense all kinds of questions. At two moments, he cut inside from the left to the edge of the box, and while his first attempt went well wide still, his second seemed much more goalbound, but the post saved the hosts from conceding early on. Club proved the more effervescent team, but other than a Vermant shot going awry, no danger was to be noted.
That changed shortly after the half hour mark: Vetlesen with the cross, seeing Anarbekov pawing it away, but into the eager feet of Stanković who did not hesitate to slam the lead into the nets, taking it in one go. The goal clearly came with a boost in confidence, and five minutes later Club added a second, as a quick conversion came to Sabbe, crossing it towards the far post to find Seys, laying it back perfectly for Vanaken (0-2).
The same 22 names in the second half, and again it was Club that claimed possession of the ball. After ten minutes, this resulted in a good opportunity as Forbs looked for Vermant, stepping over the cross in the hopes of reaching another Cluyb player, but a Kairat defender pushed it back into the run of Forbs, who saw his attempt saved by Anarbekov from close range. Shortly after, Forbs was sent deep again, trying tried to wring himself past Mata at speed, but Club's winger proved unable to get a good hit. A little after the hour, Diakhon with another fine action, laying it off to Forbs with perfect timing, but unfortunately the Portuguese was unable to keep his shot low enough.
Club did not relent, however: Diakhon with another rush past his opponent, finding Vermant in front of goal to tap in Club's third from close range. Intent on boosting the goal difference, Club kept pushing forward, but Stanković failed to frame his effort this time. That was only a delay, as a fourth goal came after all: Vanaken with a picture perfect cross to find Mechele with a subtle ball, and the latter headed the 0-4 past Anarbekov from close range.
With two minutes of extra time counted, Club conceded one through Sadybekov, controlling the ball outside the penalty area and slamming it it off the post.
UEFA Champions League - League Phase (Match day 7)
Attendance: 12,000 - Astana Arena
Referee: Mr. Donatas Rumšas (Lit)
Kairat Almaty: Temirlan Anarbekov - Erkin Tapalov (81' Jug Stanojev), Aleksandr Martynovich, Egor Sorokin, Luís Mata - Aleksandr Mrynskiy, Dan Glazer (76' Adilet Sadybekov), Damir Kasabulat (81' Mukhamedali Abish), Jorginho (76' Ricardinho), Valeriy Gromyko - Edmilson (76' Mansur Birkurmanov).
Bench: Danila Buch, Sherhan Kalmurza, Adilet Sadybekov, Alexander Shirobokov, Jug Stanojev, Mukhamedali Abish, Amirbek Bazarbayev, Mansur Birkurmanov, Ramazan Bagdat, Ricardinho.
Coach: Rafael Urazbakhtin.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe (88' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (78' Bjorn Meijer) - Aleksandar Stanković, Hugo Vetlesen (64' Cisse Sandra), Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs (78' Shandre Campbell), Romeo Vermant (78' Nicolò Tresoldi), Mamadou Diakhon.
Bench: Simon Mignolet, Argus Vanden Driessche, Ludovit Reis, Nicolò Tresoldi, Cisse Sandra, Bjorn Meijer, Vince Osuji, Hugo Siquet, Shandre Campbell.
Coach: Ivan Leko.
Yellow: Sorokin, Sadybekov
Red: none
Goals: 32' Stanković (0-1), 38' Vanaken (0-2), 74' Vermant (0-3), 84' Mechele (0-4), 90+2' Sadybekov (1-4)