The battle in the Europe play-offs is not over yet. Genk fell behind Charleroi before half-time, but rectified the imbalance after the break. It beat Charleroi 3-2 and thus stays in the footsteps of AA Gent.
After the late Ghent winning goal in Mechelen, the home team started match four in play-off 2 with their backs against the wall. Only a 9 out of 9 kept the water chance of the last European ticket intact. Coach Storck again opted for no fewer than seven new names at home against Charleroi compared to Friday. Including the four defenders and the goalkeeper. Marten Vandevoordt dropped out during the warm-up, which gave Tobe Leysen a basic place.
Wereldgoal Ilaimaharitra
Leysen was the first to get his gloves dirty on a shot from Ilaihamariratra. Genk dominated, but his combinations barely made it into the visiting rectangle. Halfway through the first half, Paintsil was able to threaten after a corner kick that was taken briefly, but his blocked shot went wide.
For example, the first half rippled to minute 34, in which the visitors struck out of nowhere. Ouattara fended off a cross in the feet of the onrushing Ilaimaharitra, who unpacked from more than 25 meters with an unstoppable place ball in the top corner.
Photo: BELGA
Almost 1-1, almost 0-2
The 0-1 finally brought some momentum to the game. In the same minute, Ito hit the far post just insufficient with a cross from an active Paintsil. The breakthrough Hrosovsky was allowed to moor freely, but Koffi blocked his shot and Onuachu kicked the rebound over.
At that point it could have been 0-2. After wrongly covering Cuesta, Morioka was only allowed to approach Leysen from the right, the young Genk goalkeeper narrowed his angle perfectly.
Over and over again
Coach Storck already made a change during halftime, as is now good custom. Thorstvedt came for shock absorber Ouattara. It inspired the home team to a sharp start. A pass from Heynen found Onuachu’s head, Koffi saved in style. But the second time the head of the Golden Boot was found, it hit the mark. Assistant king Ito was released on the right, on a nosedive Onuachu ensured the wonderful equalizer (1-1).
Photo: BELGA
Just like Friday, a Racing went on and on. Again Ito cut through the Walloon butter on the right. His cross came just too far for Onuachu, after which the shocked Nkuba headed the ball into his own goal via the post (2-1).
Expensive misses
With more than half an hour to play, the home team did not hesitate this time. Genk went looking for the reassuring third goal and quickly found it. Again Ito contributed with a well-aimed corner, Cuesta pushed Thorstvedt’s (through) header against the net at the far post (3-1).
Charleroi hung in the ropes, but the home team missed the open chance of knockout twice. First Onuachu pushed a slightly too high cross from Ito next to the open goal, then Paintsil – after neatly rounding the cape Koffi – kicked the intersection of the empty goal.
Two misses, which almost cost a dominant Genk dear. A too lax Ito wanted to let the ball pass over the back line but was surprised by Bayo, who promptly offered Heymans the 3-2.
Criticism, not hopeless
So it became a bit of a shiver for KRC Genk. Especially when in minute 90 Kayembe came into shooting position via a double pass. His bang, however, whizzed past, so that Sunday’s home match against AA Gent also retains its importance. Four points behind the Buffalos, the situation is critical but not hopeless. Only in the event of a home win, the decision on the win in play-off 2 will only be made on the final day. But in that case too, Charleroi Racing, which is now certain of at least sixth place, will have to lend a hand.
Genk only came under steam after the break. First there was Paul Onuachu (55′) who skilfully headed the equalizer in the corner. Not much later, Ken Nkuba Tshiend (59′) unluckily worked a cross from Ito into his own goal: 2-1. Another five minutes later, Carlos Cuesta (65′) increased the lead to 3-1 after a good header from Thorstvedt on a cross by Ito. Charleroi did not give in, and Ito lost the ball about fifteen minutes before the end. Bayo put back to Daan Heymans (72′), who only had to tap the 3-2 against the nets. The Carolo’s did not get any further than the connecting goal.
With two games to go, Genk now has four points less than leader AA Gent. On Sunday, the Limburgers will receive the Buffalos.
