After the recent six out of six, Wouter Vrancken retained confidence in the same eleven that kicked off once morest Charleroi. Club legend Thibaut Courtois kicked off for a packed and frenzied Cegeka Arena.
First half
In a match in which both teams might do well, it was the visitors who claimed the ball during the opening quarter. But that did not immediately lead to much danger. On the contrary, following fifteen minutes Bonsu dived into the box and forced Mechele into an error. Vergoote immediately pointed to the spot, but Tolu aimed it narrowly wide. After the opening fifteen minutes the initiative came from Genk’s side. A cross from El Khannouss ended up at Tolu via Heynen, but his sights were not focused. A goal was scored on the other side. Vanaken sent Vetlessen deep, who gave the visitors the lead with a crossed shot. Moments later, Vandevoordt had to do everything he might to keep the double lead out of his goal on a bet from Jutgla. Despite the deficit, the better part of the game came from our boys. Oyen rolled up the Bruges right flank with his agile feet. The put back was for Heynen, but he was just unable to score the equalizer. We also proved to be most dangerous in the final phase. Bilal aimed well from a distance towards the Jackers cage. Cuesta was the final stop on the subsequent corner kick. But the ex-Genkie always kept us from getting the deserved equalizer.
Second half
The game pattern continued in the second half: a dominant Genk, and visitors who did not show any initiative towards goal. A beautiful Genk combination soon ended up with El Khannouss, who placed the leather wide from the second line. Later, a missed check by Onyedika led to a second chance for Genk. El Khannouss played vertically to Tolu, who did not hesitate but bumped into goalkeeper Jackers. It came down to crucial details that would determine the end result. Just when El Ouahdi – following an elbow bump from Odoi – went to the side for a bloody nose, the same Odoi stood alone on a corner kick in the first zone to double the score. Pickles. Genk’s monopoly on ball possession continued, but did not translate into realized opportunities. The rare excitement once more came from an ‘overzealous’ VAR, who incomprehensibly ruled Sor’s hands in the Genk sixteen. Penalty, which was converted by Skov Olsen: 0-3. An exaggerated score and a bitter defeat.
‘The key today was efficiency. We had a hard time putting pressure on in the beginning, but then we got more into the game. Then we also got a penalty and created good opportunities together. In a top match you have to seize those moments. Unfortunately you don’t do that, and a rare escape from Vetlesen costs us a goal. In the second half we looked for the equalizer with renewable energy, but did not find it. Afterwards, two crucial phases decided on two goals. Too bad, because you saw the better chances throughout the match.’ – Wouter Vrancken
Line-up
Vandevoordt, Kayembe, McKenzie, Cuesta, El Ouahdi (79′ Nkuba), Hrosovsky, Heynen, El Khannouss, Oyen (79′ Adedeji), Tolu (57′ Sor), Bonsu Baah (71′ Zeqiri).
Goals
0-1 26′ Vetlesen
0-2 73′ Odoi
0-3 85′ Skov Olsen
