In the penultimate Game Day in the Pro League, other than for Mark McKenzie and Genk, there was nothing to play for but play they did. The highlight of the weekend was Gabriel Slonina’s shutout.
Genk 1 – 0 Standard Liege
See Michael Adubato’s Press Box Report for full coverage of the game and comments from Mark McKenzie.
Eupen 1 – 0 Sint-Truiden
After zero points from six games, Gabriel Slonina not only helped his team to a rare victory but also kept a clean sheet against Kahveh Zahiroleslam and the Canaries. The American keeper made four saves from the team that nominated possession but were impotent when it came to finding the back of the net. The 21-year-old Californian put in a 76 minute shift.
Although dominated on the field, the only goal and eventually the three points were gifted to the host’s by Slonina’s opposite number, Zion Suzuki between the STVV sticks. The Japanese keeper failed to take care of a cross coming in from the right wing. Instead of the easy grab, he dropped it in front of himself and Regan Charles-Cook poked it to his team mate, Renaud Emond. The 10th minute goal came from the middle of the 18 yard box from the foot of the Belgian striker.
In reality the three points do nothing for Eupen as they’ll have to fight for their Pro League lives when the play-offs begin. On the other hand, Sint-Truiden are assured of competing in the group that will fight for a UEFA Conference League spot come next season.
The last game of the season for Slonina will be against Standard Liege, while Zihiroleslam will end the season with a visit from third place Club Brugge.
Mechelen 3 – 1 Westerlo
Both Bryan Reynolds and Griffin Yow were in the starting line-up when Westerlo headed to Mechelen on Friday night. A first half brace by the Kakkers’ Abdallah Mrabti was enough to collect the points but Patrick Pflucke also got in on the action as well. Jordan Bos got one back for the visitors as the clock struck 90 minutes, but obviously too little, too late for The Gamecocks.
With no threat of ending up in a relegation spot, having already secured a spot in the second play-off group where they will fight for a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League, perhaps the team was collectively thinking past this game. Their opponents however werre desperate for points as they hope to hold onto a top six spot to remain in the Championship play-0ff group.
Mrabti’s first goal can be put down to good fortune but also to poor defending as the ball was passed in and around the Westerlo box, five defenders chasing but it ending up with the Swedish midfielder just three yards out. He poked it past a trio of defenders 11 minutes into the game.
His second came in the 37th minute, again from close range, after Islam Slimani picked him out. And the final Mechelen goal was scored in the 73rd minute, again from close range by the German, after the Westerlo defense looked clueless. Bos’ goal meant nthing in the end.
Westerlo can play spoilers to Genk’s ambitions when they welcome McKenzie and the Smurfs t Het Kuipje on Sunday afternoon.
Notes
Jamath Shoffner’s KV Oostende fought a tough battle at home against Dender in Challenger Pro League action but came up short after the visitors found the back of the net in the 50th minute for the game’s only goal.
All is not gloom and doom at this stage however as the Seasiders remain three points out of an automatic relegation spot with five more games left in the regular season. Next up will be a road game against the Genk Reserves over in Limburg. They are currently five points better off than KVO.
