21/08/2010
KRC Genk-FC Porto, 0-3: Three shots to break a curse
 Three goals, two being masterful, worth more than the first-ever FC Porto win in Belgium. Apart from breaking history, an apparent qualification for the group stages of the UEFA Europa League looms ahead, solely dependent on maintaining supremacy and quality at Estádio do Dragão, the home ground where André Villas-Boas wants to win once more.
 Match Photos
It didn’t take long, only a few minutes to confirm that FC Porto was in Belgium to win, not only the game but the play-off too. After a number of attacking sequences, managed at two different paces due to the opponent’s obvious tight play, the coach's words, on the eve of the game, were indeed accurately transferred onto the pitch in a consistent and simple process that allowed the team to get closer to scoring.
Falcao, who threatened as of the first few seconds of play, seemed to have almost planned the opponent’s movement s, quickly clearing the way, and within Genk’s area, made it as if scoring was imm inent. This was not to be as the first goal indeed came about from a penalty, where the Colombian took revenge for having been overthrown, just instants before convincing Courtois to choose the wrong direction.
The obvious and indisputable supremacy didn’t belong to the blue and white team as FC Porto was indeed playing in the yellow away kit. The yellow glow was very much evident in Ukra’s play before half-time. However, only 10 minutes into the second half did the Belgian team dare question FC Porto’ s supremacy.
Helton shone and it’s great to acknowledge it. Indeed, his performance was excellent but not for long. From then on, the core of almost everything was on the opposite side of the field, where Falcao took on the leading role but scoring was not to be. The highlight of the game was set aside for Souza that blasted an unstoppable shot, well outside the goal area, thanks to a delayed and rather valuable pass from Rúben Micael.
FC Porto’s unquestionable superiority amplified towards the end of the game due to yet another superb goal, knocked by Belluschi, who shot out of Courtois’ reach, after overthrowing two opponents, defying the curse of past unfavor able clashes in Belgium.
The group stages of the UEFA Europa League are now only a single game away. Villas-Boas is keen to win.
Match Report
UEFA Europa League - First round play-offs
19 August 2010
Cristal Arena, Genk
Referee: Luca Banti (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Paolo Calcagno and Riccardo Di Fiore
4th Referee: Andrea Gervasoni
KRC GENK: Courtois; Anele, Joneleit, Matoukou and Pudil; Tozsér, Hubert, Buffel and De Bruyne; Vossen and Barda «cap»
Substitutions: Vossen for Ogunjimi (46m), Buffel for Ndabashinze (82m) and De Bruyne for Camus (86m)
Unused subs: Koteles, Huysegems, Duwael and Koita
Coach: Frank Vercauteren
FC PORTO: Helton «cap»; Sapunaru, Rolando, Maicon and Alvaro; Fernando, Belluschi and João Moutinho; Varela, Falcao and Ukra
Substitutions: Varela for Souza (60m), Ukra for Rúben Micael (74m) and Falcao for Walter (82m)
Unused subs: Beto, Sereno, Miguel Lopes and Castro
Coach: André Villas-Boas
At half-time: 0-1
Scorers: Falcao (29m, pen.), Souza (82m) and Belluschi (90m)
Misconduct: Yellow cards to Ukra (18m), Tozsér (28m), Vossen (32m), Maicon (32m), Fernando (64m), Helton (76m), Alvaro (88m) and Pudil (90m); Red card to Matoukou (65m). |
