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Kawashima urging Standard Liege to bounce back from Gent defeat

Standard Liege goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima has implored his side to recoil swiftly from the weekend's disappointing 3-2 home defeat to KAA Gent.

The Japanese gloveman and his teammates were a goal ahead in Sunday's fixture before Brazilian defender Kanu turned the ball into the back of his own net in the 24th minute.

That provided the visitors with the ascendency to hit the front through Christophe Lepoint two minutes later before Liege levelled with four minutes remaining when Geoffrey Mujangi Bia converted from the penalty spot.

However, Gent produced a last-minute winner via Ante Puljic to inflict a first defeat in 16 outings on Standard who remain at the top of the Belgian Pro League table.

Liege, seven points clear at the summit, next takes on second-placed Club Brugge this weekend and Kawashima was looking to return to the winners list in order to reassert their authority on the Belgian top flight.

"We tried to keep the zero behind, as usual, but we took an own-goal we took too many risks to return to the score," read a translated excerpt from Kawashima.

"We missed the little things. We were not good defensively, losing the ball. Sometimes we play badly and it goes.

"For us, it was very difficult tonight. It was lost points, but we already thinking about the next match, we must change ideas to go to Bruges."

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Andrew Slevison
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