KVC Westerlo – KRC Genk

Frustrations were rife in Mechelen. Ball possession in the opponent’s half, shots on goal, accurate passes: all in the Kemphans’ favour. In the number of big chances it was the same, each team got 4 big chances, of which Mechelen missed 1 and Westerlo …. all 4. You would get frustrated for less. Super Sunday will have to give the decision.

KVC Westerlo

Why did we only play one half on level terms? That question fell in the dressing room after the game against Mechelen. The entire group sat down together on Saturday to discuss it. We will need to be sharp from the start against Genk, because parking the bus with eleven in front of the penalty area is not something we will see, even though a draw is all we need to participate in the Europe Play-Offs. This would already be a nice stunt after that dramatic 11 on 45 earlier in the season.

Seven years ago, the same match was scheduled, with the same stakes. Westerlo for retention and Genk for participation in the (Europe) Play Offs. Yours truly wept tears that day and hopes not to live through this scenario a second time.

For this last match – again Kuipje is sold out to the last seat – everyone is fit and it will be pushing for a place among the 20. The outward match ended in a spectacular 3-3 final score after Genk had taken a 3-1 lead. Lucas Stassin was then the man of the match with two goals and the assist in the closing minutes on ex-Genkie Tuur Rommens. By the way, Tuur, along with Romeo Vermant, may join our young Red Devils next week.

Those two are not the only internationals, Baka, Karol, Matija, Ravil, Emin, Arthur, Bryan, Griffin, Sergii, Jordan, Allahyar, and Josimar won’t be seen in Westerlo in the coming days either. They will all be wearing the national jersey of their respective countries.

KRC Genk

The Limburgers had a very good outward round, losing only one game of their first 12 of the season, at home against Eupen then. After the New Year, things are just a bit less – compared to the start of the season – although the sale of defensive backs Munoz and Arteaga and winger Paintsil also has a lot to do with that. A whopping 21 million euros was transferred to the Genk account after the sale of these 3 strongmen. Ken Nkuba (Charleroi) and Eduard Sobol (ex-Club Brugge) came in their place but neither has true base player status. Nkuba came to 39 playing minutes with 7 substitutions and Sobol was allowed to start 4 times and filled in 3 times.

We do see the same names recurring in the starting line-up: talented goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, central defenders Cuesta and McKenzie and central midfielders Hrosovsky, captain Heynen and El Khannouss and what a good footballer the latter can play! Last week against Standard (1-0 win), these names were supplemented by El Ouahdi and Kayembe on the defensive flanks, Baah and Oyen on the attacking wingers and as a deep striker Yira Sor. Oyen fell out unhappily and faces another long rehabilitation and it was substitute Ait El Hadj who signed for the victory goal. Top shooter was Nigerian Tolu Arokodare with eight goals.

Lawrence Visser