Club YLA started their Super League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Standard Liège in the first round of the regular season on Friday. And here's the thing — three goals in the opening half put the hosts firmly in control before the break. The result leaves them top of the table with three points from one game.
YLA took the lead in the eighth minute, then doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark. Standard Liège pulled one back in the twenty-second minute, but the visitors couldn't find a way back into the game. A late goal in the eighty-third minute sealed the win for the home side.
To be fair, the visitors had their moments. They'd beaten YLA 2-1 back in May, and held them to a draw later that season. But this time the away side couldn't match the hosts' intensity. There's no value left at that number when you're chasing a game from the start.
The statistics tell a simple story. YLA dominated possession and created more chances, and it showed on the scoreboard. Standard Liège struggled to string passes together and could only manage one shot on target. The hosts were dominant in the air from set plays, which made a difference in the penalty area.
What this means for the league is still early days. YLA sit third with three points, while Standard Liège are sixth with none. The gap is small, but the momentum is clear. The history between them adds an edge to what was a straightforward win for the hosts.