In the standings, the Union is joined by Anderlecht with 35 points.
The first day of the Champions’ Playoffs ended on Monday with KRC Genk’s 1-0 victory against Union. Arokodare scored the only goal (27th) of this victory which restarted the title race.
In the other two matches of this opening day Anderlecht beat Antwerp 1-0 on Sunday, and Cercle and Club shared 1-1 in the Bruges derby on Monday afternoon.
In the standings, Union is joined by Anderlecht with 35 points, Genk is 3rd (27) ahead of Club Bruges (27). Antwerp is 5th (26) and Cercle Bruges 6th (25).
The game
The Unionists caused the first thrill: Sadiki’s recovery missed the target (14th). On the reaction, Arokodare, launched in depth, lost his face-to-face with Moris.
Genk missed another big opportunity when Kayembe’s shot, in the box, missed the target (17th). The third was the right one. Arokodare took advantage of a hesitation from Moris and slipped the ball into the goal (27th, 1-0).
Manhandled by a very active Genk, the Union remained no less dangerous like Puertas whose shot was off target (34th), Eckert Ayensa’s header too far away (41st) or Lapoussin’s breakthrough blocked by accuracy by Sadick (45th).
Upon resumption, the game decreased in intensity, with Genk leaving the initiative to their opponents. The leaders of the competition had to wait before creating another possibility. Nilsson, however, could not surprise Vandevoort (61st).
As the minutes passed, the pressure from Saint-Gillois, a little muddled, increased against a Limburg rearguard determined to preserve their goal. A final slalom from Castro-Montes failed on Vandevoort (82nd).
Burgess exclu
In addition to the meeting, the Union lost Burgess excluded following a bad gesture (90th + 5). The second day will feature Saturday Antwerp-Genk (8:45 p.m.), and Sunday Union-Cercle Bruges (1:30 p.m.) and Club Bruges-Anderlecht (6:30 p.m.).
Belgian
