Buffel blasts Genk past Mons !

After a difficult first half Genk managed to set aside Mons easily after the interval. Two goals by Buffel did the job.

"We are the Belgian champions, that's the image we have to send out," Genk coach Mario Been said before the game. Nevertheless it was doubtful whether his team managed to get over the mental blow they took after their beating in Chelsea. Luckily Been saw Nadson come back from injury to take back his place in the defense. This meant that Daniel Tözsèr found back his spot in midfield. Up front Vossen and Kennedy teamed up in attack. Mons coach van Wijk had less injury trouble. He only had to do without Blondelle and Mombongo.

Sloppy first half.

The story of the first half was short. Genk started strong, created a number of chances through Kennedy and Vossen, they even had most of the possession but they did too little with it. Mons had a go at goal once when Köteles had to deflect a shot from Bourabia into corner. The Cristal Arena had to wait until the half hour to see the first shot on target. De Bruyne teed himself up and had a crack at goal. Berthelin had to go at full stretch to deflect the ball only as far as the feet of Vossen. But the Genk striker saw his volley shatter on...... his team mate Kennedy. The game then ground to a halt and the goalless score was no more than logic.

 

Buffel scores twice.

The second was only five minutes old when Hyland headed a corner by De Bruyne on target. Striker Perbet had to come to his keeper's rescue on the line. Immediately after that Köteles had to parry a shot by that same Perbet. Genk increased the pressure on the visitors. De Bruyne curled a treacherous towards Berthelin but it turned out harmless.

But then Genk's efforts finally paid off. Buffel was at the end of an inch perfect pass by De Bruyne and Berthelin stood no chance. 25 minutes had passed in the second half. Not even ten minutes later the game was over. The same tandem did the job. De Bruyne provided another excellent pass in between the keeper and his defense. Buffel only had to tip in on the far post, scoring his second of the evening. Genk had one more close call when Bourabia's header hit the post from point blank range. But the home team couldn't be worried anymore. After a meager 1 point out of 9 they finally hauled in the full loot.

KRC Genk line up : Köteles, Anele, Nadson, Hyland, Pudil, Tözsèr, Vanden Borre, De Bruyne (87' Camus), Buffel (82' Limbombe), Vossen (70' Ogunjimi) en Kennedy.

R.A.E.C. Mons line up : Berthelin, Franquart, Lépicier, Matthys (56' Ibou), Matumona, Dia, Perbet, Nicaise (75' Makiese), Bourabia, Timmermans en Sapina.

Scoresheet :

70' : 1 - 0 : Buffel
78' : 2 - 0 : Buffel.

Yellow cards :

Red cards :

Referee : Claude Bourdouxhe.

Attendance : 21.405