It was another fine defensive performance for the Smurfs, while across the country Standard Liege and Leuven played in front of an empty stadium.
Antwerp 0 – 1 Genk
KRC Genk travelled on Saturday evening to take on the reigning Belgian champions and as they did last week against league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise, came away with a 1-0 victory.
Mark McKenzie put in a solid performance in this game where Antwerp dominated possession but were only allowed two shots on goal as the Genk back line frustrated the attackers.
The only goal came a minute before the half time whistle when Anouar Ait El Hadj cut inside from the left flank and blasted the ball just under the crossbar near the far corner. Joris Kayembe was credited with the assist.
Antwerp’s Mark van Bommel made some second half subs in order to get a better grasp on the game but it really changed nothing. In fact it was the visitors who had the best chance of the second half. Still, they left the Bosuil with three very valuable points.
Genk’s head coach Wouter Vrancken spoke to the press post game and said, “I am very satisfied with the performance. A well-deserved victory with a lot of team spirit. We made it even more exciting by missing the chances. That’s the only blemish today, but I’m very proud of the guys.”
“It’s still early days, but we’ve made great strides. The difference today was in the mentality. We absorbed the energy of the stadium. Everyone worked in the service of the team, so you can show great things. No one expected it, given the absentees. But when I see how the other guys take their chances, I can’t complain.”
With Genk picking up six points out of six thus far and Cercle Brugge’s shocking win over Union and Anderlecht’s loss to Club Brugge, the Smurfs now find themselves within touching distance of the Belgian title. It is still early days however but on 30 points, they are five behind Union and Anderlecht on 35.
Up next will be a Saturday night clash at home for McKenzie and company against fifth place Cercle.
Westerlo 0 – 3 Gent
It wasn’t a very good Sunday evening for the Yanks of Westerlo when they hosted Play-off Group 2 leaders Gent. Two early goals two minutes apart was quite enough for the visitors to keep hold of their European dream but after being reduced to nine men, Westerlo surrendered another late goal. Bryan Reynolds went the distance and Griffin Yow started and put in a 62-minute shift.
It was quite an interesting beginning to the game with the Westerlo fans waving handkerchiefs at the Gent supporters in a gesture suggesting that they dry their tears after Westerlo ended the regular season with a draw again Genk, thereby denying the Buffaloes a chance to play in the Championship group.
By the end however, the white handkerchiefs took on a different meaning, suggesting surrender as Gent took the lead after 22 minutes when Omri Gandelman scored from close range after receiving Hong Hyun-Seok’s headed pass. Two minutes later it was two-nil when Tarik Tissoudali struck from the middle of the 18 yard box.
Things went from bad to really bad in the 37th minute when Bakary Haidara picked up his second yellow card and was sent to the locker room. Another red card was issued in the 67th minute but the strange thing is that Nick Gillekens, the back-up goalkeeper, was on the bench at the time.
Although the game was already over, Gandelman scored again in the 92nd minute.
Westerlo, who are in last place in the group, will travel to take on Mechelen on Saturday evening.
Standard Liege 0 – 0 Leuven
In this game with nothing to play for, neither team was able to put the ball into the back of the net, thus ending with a share of the points. Marlon Fossey started the contest but went off in the 64th minute after a collision with a Leuven player. This knee injury is not a serious one so he should return to the field quickly.
Where there should have been over 20,000 fans whipping the teams up into a frenzy, the Sclessin was as quiet as a church with no fans allowed to witness the contest. The ban was because of trouble when Standard played Liege in a Belgian Cup game.
The star of the game was Tobe Leysen, Leuven’s 22 year old keeper who made a few fine saves late on the ensure that his team headed home with a point.
Next up for Standard will be a Friday night contest against Sint Truiden.
Notes
Kahveh Zahiroleslam got off the bench in the 58th minute as the Canaries came from a 2-0 deficit to claim victory with an 89th minute goal by Ryo Ito. The 3-2 win puts Sint Truiden in second place, just four behind Gent as they look for that European slot. Next up will be a visit from Standard Liege.
Eupen and Gabriel Slonina hosted Kortrijk and in the end both teams secured a point with the final score 1-1. Eupen are now second in the Relegation Group. They’ll travel to Brussels on Saturday to take on Molenbeek.
In Challenger Pro League action, Jamath Shoffner’s KV Oostende put on a good display but in the end, were beaten by the league leaders Beerschot. Seraing however picked up a point, which means that Oostende is only one point from falling into the relegation place.
Shoffner’s side will have another tough game when they travel to take on fourth place Patro Eisden. Seraing will take on last place Standard Liege II, so the Seasiders desperately need a win.
