After both defeats on the previous match day, both KRC Genk and OH Leuven could make good use of the points. For the home team in the battle for a top 6 place, for the visitors to get out of the danger zone.
These value ratios became clear early in the match. OHL had to go back, Racing Genk claimed possession of the ball. Although that was without much danger.
Until Bonsu Baah started dribbling in the Leuven sixteen. It went over Misao’s leg, penalty for the home team. A trick for Bryan Heynen, who needed the rebound after a very poor eleven-meter kick at first.
However, the opening goal did not close the match. Only in the sight of peace did we get some excitement again.
Twice Tolu missed a great chance for a more reassuring 2-0 halftime score. On the other hand, OHL also carefully stuck its nose to the window. The harbinger for a more open second half?
For a moment it seemed that OH Leuven could/wanted to make more of it at the start of the second half, but the match soon turned into a mediocre match again.
On the hour mark, the home team almost doubled their lead again. Dom turned Paintsil’s attempt on the line, Munoz was unable to frame his attempt just afterwards.
If the opportunities are not completed, there is always one more opportunity for the opponent. A law that also seemed to apply in Genk.
Substitute Braut Brunes immediately scored the first real chance for OHL, an equalizer that came completely out of the blue.
But also a goal that woke Racing Genk up again. Bryan Heynen quickly put things back in order with his second goal of the afternoon and pulled his team over the finish line again.
Deep into the added time, club top scorer Daniel Muñoz was quick to deliver the final death blow to the visitors. He followed the counterattack well and was able to score his 3rd goal in a good week.
With that ultimately difficult three-pointer, Racing Genk jumps to place 4, OHL remains in the danger zone.
Oscar Garcia OH Leuven): “We were close, but two small things in the end decided the match. I am satisfied with the performance of my team. We wanted to show mentality and we did that. Other than that we did not make any major changes. The first half was not good, we played like OHL used to play. But after adjusting, we played better after the break and we also scored. We don’t have an easy program, but we learned from today’s match and we have to do that now against the next opponents. We have the strength and mentality for that.”
Wouter Vrancken (Genk): “We let the match drag on for too long. We were dominant and created the best opportunities together, but we did not finish our opportunities. That is the only downside of today. A dangerous downside, because this just gave us the three points. Still, it was nice to see that we were able to bounce back after Thursday’s European defeat. We got right back at it and didn’t let it linger in our heads. Then you immediately get support from the stands. and it will still be a beautiful evening.”
