Belgium round-up: Genk close the gap
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Article summary
KRC Genk moved to within four points of early leaders Club Brugge KV on Saturday.
Article body
KRC Genk moved to within four points of early leaders Club Brugge KV on Saturday after Kevin Vandenbergh's late strike saw off R. AEC Mons.
Happy week
Brugge had taken the lead in the seventh minute through Bernd Thijs but looked set for a frustrating afternoon when Dennis Souza headed in a 70th-minute free-kick. However, Vandenbergh popped up seven minutes from time to end a happy week for the visitors after their draw against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Simple task
K. Lierse SK have moved into second place, two points behind the leaders, after a 2-1 victory at home against R. Charleroi SC. Stein Huysegems gave the hosts an eleventh-minute lead which Lierse took into the break but they were pegged back nine minutes into the second half when Mahamadou Kere headed in the equaliser. Charleroi's resistance was short-lived as Marc Schaessens had a simple task to slot in the winner and keep his side's early season form on track.
Winning start
New KFC Lommelse SK coach Jos Heyligen got his tenure off to a winning start following the sacking of Harm Van Veldhoven in midweek. He was left to sweat for the winning goal, however, Ibrahim Tankary heading in a corner with just six minutes remaining to give Lommel a 1-0 victory against R. Standard de Liège.
Too strong
KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen proved too strong for KAA Gent with a 2-1 victory to move into eighth place in the table. First-half strikes from Americo Fronio Walker (35) and Kwame Quansah (41) put the hosts in a commanding position at the break but they failed to kill off their opponents. Djima Oyawole then set up a tense final 18 minutes when he pulled a goal back but Germinal held on for the points.
Smits off
KSK Beveren also ran out 2-1 winners after disposing of fellow strugglers KVC Westerlo. Venance Zezeto opened the scoring from range a minute before the break and Steven Wostijn added a second 20 minutes from time to give his side only their second win of the campaign. It got worse for Westerlo when Bjorn Smits was sent off for a second bookable offence two minutes later. Wim Mennes hit a late consolation for the visitors who remain three points clear of bottom club Charleroi.
