Racing Genk of Belgium attacker, Cyriel Dessers was on song the Belgian First Division A side and put up an impressive show against Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine in the UEFA Champions League qualifying fixture, but he could not save his side from defeat.
Dessers got off the hosts’ bench in the pulsating encounter against The Miners, who went on to win 2-1 away from home, despite Genk having Paul Ebere Onuachu named in their starting line-up, but he was replaced by Ghana’s John Paintsil in the 82nd minute.
Megasportsarena.com report shtat, while Stephen Odey was not listed for action by Genk, the Belgian FA Cup winners went into the second leg of the third qualifying round needing a comprehensive win to have a chance of getting into the play-off round.
That was so because The Smurfs had bowed 2-1 in the first leg at Luminus Arena, despite taking the lead in that game through Onuachu, but they were unable to turn the tie around in the reverse fixture on Tuesday, as the Ukrainian Premier League side completed a decisive double.
Things fell apart early for Onuachu and his pals as their visitors, despite needing just a draw to make a much-desired progress, took the lead in the 27th minute through Lassina Traore and Roberto De Zerbi’s men held their own firmly all the way.
A report by goal.com adds: Brazilian defender Dodo played the ball from the centre line to the opponent’s penalty area and his compatriot Tete controlled it, then teed up the Burkina Faso international who fired past goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt.
Although the visitors came back stronger, they were unable to level matters as the first half ended 1-0. Realising that their ambition of progressing to the next round was fading into thin air, John van den Brom’s team played with calm after the break.
They went close to scoring in the 49th minute but Theo Bongonda’s effort from seven meters out was stopped by Anatolii Trubin. Onuachu and Junya Ito had few chances but they were disturbed by the backline anchored by Dodo, Marlon and Vitao.
In the 76th minute, Marcos Antonio doubled Shakhtar’s advantage after slotting home as Traore’s shot was deflected towards his path. Mike Tresor assisted Dessers with the visitors’ only goal in the 90th minute. Even but they crashed out of the competition on a 4-2 aggregate.
