(jds)
The Genkies were missing goalkeeper Mike Penders (adductors), Brad Manguelle (knee), Noah Adedeji-Sternberg (A-team selection) and Victory Beniangba (transfer issues). As a result, Vic Chambaere was under the bar for the second time, Faissal Al Mazyani came into defence, trendsetter Kos Karetsas made his return and the Japanese Naoki Kumata was given his first starting place.
The Japanese thanked his place in the starting lineup and scored his first Genk goal just after half an hour. He slid in Caicedo’s tight cross at the far post. Lierse equalized before half time through Joeri Poelmans, who set up a move with De Bruyn through the heart of the Genk defense: 1-1. “We deservedly took the lead because we found the spaces,” said coach Jelle Coen. “But we conceded the goal too quickly.”
© KRC Genk
Missed penalty
After the break there was more enthusiasm, but the match also became more intense. “We were a little less sharp in the block,” Coen admitted. Just after the hour, Lierse brought Eric Ocansey. His first touch of the ball was an immediate hit. The striker pushed the ball between goalkeeper Chambaere’s legs: 2-1. Ocansey would also sign the final verdict in injury time by punishing Genk’s defensive bumbling and scoring the 3-1 from close range.
“At 2-1, Lierse could advance too easily on the side,” Coen knew. “We were sleeping and made an error in judgment. You could see that everyone was performing just below their level today.”
Genk had the prospect of a draw, but 20 minutes before the end, Thomas Claes missed the chance to make it 2-2 from the spot after a mistake on substitute Cédric Nuozzi. “It’s a shame it didn’t go in,” said Kamiel Van de Perre. “Mentally things went down for us, while Lierse got a boost.”
© KRC Genk
The 3-1 defeat puts an end to Jong Genk’s five unbeaten matches. “It was a frustrating evening,” Coen said. “We no longer found the free man in the second half and were less sharp in the block. It also became tougher and the bad field was not in our favor.” Van de Perre also agreed. “The field was in a dramatic condition. As a football team you are then at a disadvantage.”
Still one bright spot. The Japanese Naoki Kumata scored with his first start. “It was a satisfying debut,” Coen concluded. “The automatisms will come, I’m not afraid of that.” The derby against Lommel SK is scheduled for Sunday (4 p.m.).
LIERSE KEMPEN ZONEN: Teunckens – Tirpan, Nkaka, Boone, Poelmans – Van Acker, Cools, Brebels – Sow, De Bruyn, Van Dessel.
JONG GENK: Chambaere – Caicedo, Al Mazyani, Kongolo, Akpan – Bangoura, Claes, Van de Perre – Karetsas, Kumata, Da Costa.
REPLACEMENTS: 46′ Akpan and Karetsas by Martens and John, 65′ De Bruyn by Ocansay, 70′ Da Costa and Kumata by Nuozzi and Mirisola, 85′ Caicedo by Arabaci and Van Dessel by Kireev, 90+2′ Sow and Van Acker by Samers and Schouterden.
GOALS: 34′ Kumata 0-1, 42′ Poelmans 1-1, 66′ Ocansey 2-1, 90+4′ Ocansey 3-1.
PENALTY KICK: 72′ Thomas Claes (Teunckens takes).
YELLOW CARDS: 40′ Boone (foul on Kumata), 57′ Van de Perre (foul on Poelmans), 84′ physiotherapist Lierse (protest), 90+3′ Poelmans (winning time).
REFEREE: Laurent Willems.
SPECTATORS: 3,500.
© KRC Genk
© KRC Genk