It wasn’t a good weekend for the Yanks in Belgium as all of them dropped points, including Mark McKenzie’s Genk.
Sint Truiden 3 – 3 Standard Liege
In this goal-fest in Limburg, the Canaries had to come from behind to earn a point in their hunt for that coveted European Conference League place. Kahveh Zahiroleslam started and put in an 83 minute shift but Marlon Fossey, who picked up a knee injury last week against Leuven, didn’t make it onto the team sheet.
Eric-Junior Bocat brought the Stayen crowd to their feet after just four minutes with his strike from the middle of the box, assisted by the post. But five minutes later that lead was erased by the foot of Wilfried Kanga after Zion Suzuki pushed away Cihan Canak’s shot, but right into the path of the Ivorian striker.
Fifteen minutes into the second half the visitors were celebrating their go-ahead goal which came from a cross from Hayao Kawabe and converted by William Balikwisha. And the game looked to be getting away from Sint Truiden, especially after their 57th minute penalty that Aboubakary Koïta took and saw it saved by Arnaud Bodart. Then Kanga’s second goal of the game in the 81st minute should have put this game to bed.
Four minutes after coming onto the field, Adriano Bertaccini scored his very first goal for the Canaries. That was in the 84th minute. Then another four minutes passed before Bodart was pulling the ball out of the back of his net again. Fatih Kaya also scored his first goal and that was the big one, winning a point for STVV.
Dropping the two points really hurt their chances of earning that European spot, while Standard are too far behind to have a realistic chance. Both teams will go at it again over the weekend with Leuven hosting Sint Truiden, while les Rouches head to Westerlo.
Genk 1 – 1 Cercle Brugge
The Smurfs did themselves no favors in their pursuit of the Belgian title by letting Cercle steal a point with just a dozen minutes left on the game clock. The only team to win their first two opening games in the Championship Play-Off Group, Genk had the wind knocked out of their sails thanks to a bit of poor defending. Mark McKenzie started on the left side of the three man defensive back line for the hosts.
Dominating early on, Genk capitalized with an impressive attack that ended with Kayembe on the wing who sent in a superb cross into the box to Tolu Arokodare. The Nigerian used his head and picked out his spot, giving the keeper no chance. This was his 10th goal of the season.
The hosts started the second half as if they had their minds on things other than the game. Their sloppy play gave the visitors hope and Cercle grew in confidence, although their attempts at goal were merely half-hearted.
The turning point for the Smurfs was in the 74th minute when Cercle’s Boris Popovic was sent off with a straight red card. The second half Serbian sub decided to intervene by blocking Tolu’s path to the goal by pulling the 23 year old to the group, thus denying a goal scoring opportunity. This should have ben the catalyst for Genk to go on and win the game but things took a turn for the worst.
Kazeem Olaigbe equalized in the 78th minute but to be fair to KRC, they didn’t give up. McKenzie could have been the hero in stoppage time with a very good header at goal but the Cercle Brazilian keeper, Warleson had another excellent game.
In the race to the title, Anderlecht beat USG, while Club Brugge beat Antwerp. Genk is now in fourth place, seven points behind the group leaders from Brussels. Genk will again be at home over the weekend and will host Anderlecht.
Mechelen 3 – 2 Westerlo
See Michael Adubato’s Press Box Report by clicking the link.
Molenbeek 3 – 1 Eupen
In this battle to avoid relegation, with Gabriel Slonina between the Eupen posts, the visitors struck first but before the half, let Molenbeek back into the game and then saw it get away from them with two more second half strikes.
The lead came in the 25th minute from the penalty spot. Regan Charles-Cook was brought down in the 18 yard box by Mickaël Biron. The referee pointed to the spot and Gary Magnée tucked it away for only his third goal of the Pro League season. He had a chance late in the game to add another one from the penalty spot in the 90th minute but a poor effort equaled a save.
The hosts got their first of the game just three minutes from the half time whistle. Coming from a free kick situation, Shuto Abe scored from the right side of the six yard box. The Tokyo born midfielder added another one 10 minutes after the intermission using his head after a stellar cross into the box by Carlos Alberto. No, not that Carlos Alberto!
Although the Pandas did their best to get back into it, an 83rd minute strike by Makhtar Gueye ended any hopes of a comeback.
Eupen currently sits in third place of the four team group. The bottom two teams will automatically go down, while the second place team will still have a chance to stay in the top flight.
Notes
Jamath Shoffner‘s KV Oostende went up against sixth place Patro Eisden and after surrendering the first goal of the game, scored before giving up another. The three points were imperative for the Seasiders in order to keep them out of the relegation zone, especially with 15th place Seraing also winning.
With just one game left in the regular Challenger League season, Oostende will play last place and already relegated Standard Liege Reserves. Second division survival is in their hands.
