Khalaili Makes First Start of Season as Union Draws Dramatically Against Bodø/Glimt

Anan Khalaili made his first start of the season tonight (Tuesday) for Union Saint-Gilloise, which finished in a dramatic 3:3 draw against Bodø/Glimt in the non-champions path of the Champions League qualifiers. The Belgian team was close to securing an advantage ahead of the second leg, but conceded a late equalizer.

The visitors from Norway took the lead twice in the first half. Patrick Berg found the net in the 20th minute, before Raul Florucz equalized five minutes later. Ulrik Saltnes restored Bodø/Glimt's lead with a penalty in the 29th minute, but Florucz completed a brace to make it 2:2 deep into first-half stoppage time.

Khalaili, who came off the bench in the Belgian Super Cup victory, was given a spot in the starting 11 this time and displayed an active game on the right wing. In the 78th minute, he was close to giving his team the lead, but his header was stopped by the goalkeeper.

In the 88th minute, substitute Promise David sent a sharp shot that hit the post and went in, exciting the local fans with a 2:3 lead. The celebrations did not last long: in the 90+1 minute, Odin Luras Bjortuft headed the ball into the net, making it 3:3, leaving everything open for the second leg.

Union arrived at the match having opened the season with a title, thanks to a victory over Club Brugge in a penalty shootout in the Belgian Super Cup. The Belgian champion continues its excellent form from last season, having recorded 16 wins and six draws in its last 24 matches in all competitions, alongside only two losses. Now, they aim to reach the league phase of the Champions League for the second consecutive time.

For Khalaili, this is also a significant season. After his transfer to Inter did not materialize, the Israel national team player will try to at least replicate his performance from the previous European campaign, in which he scored three goals in the league phase of the Champions League.