An elaborate 2-1 win for Club Brugge in the season opener vs KRC Genk, as Ordóñez and Mechele managed to overturn Oh's early 0-1, but not without the help of an excellent Mignolet in goal.
Opting for the same eleven that beat Union for the Supercup last week, Nicky Hayen chose for Jorne Spileers at right back, also allowing new signing Ludovit Reis a start from kick-off. Up front Vetlesen and Tzolis played in support of Vermant. Club and Genk were the two teams serving up the most scenic football last season and at the start of the new season the two teams lived up to the high expectations as they immediately went all out from the very first minute, forcing Mignolet to a fine save just two minutes in denying Karetsas, while Reis saw his shot blocked with great timing on the other side of the pitch. Soon after, Van Crombrugge proved the better of a Tzolis' effort, with Reis heading the rebound over.
In an opening few abrim with chances, it came as no surprise that a goal soon followed, Oh cutting inside neatly and firing it past Mignolet with force (0-1). The visitors kept coming, and it took a focused Seys to clear the ball from the goal line after Steuckers had gone past Mignolet.
A better visiting side saw Club restore the balance halfway through, resulting in more danger as Reis teed up Tzolis, but his shot met with the eager hands of Van Crombrugge, and his lob just moments later sailed just over. Club started piling on the pressure, but the score remained unchanged. The visitors even came closest to adding another one to their tally, but after a swift break, Oh put it wide.
Forbs and Skóraś, on for Vetlesen and Reis at half time, created a first chance for Club in the second 45, the latter heading the former's cross over. Club was clearly out for blood now, but the visitors kept luring on the break, and one of those attempts lead to a triple Genk chance: Mignolet first saved the day upon efforts by Oh and by Karetsas, the rebound chipping off Ordóñez to go into corner kick. A hard shot by El Ouahdi was also saved by our fiery No 1, and he also kept a cool head as a short pass back by Spileers almost turned disastrous.
Club went through a tight spot in that one, and now really geared up. A Tzolis header was headed wide by Vermant, and Seys saw his shot deviated by Smets over his own goal. What was coming finally did arrive upon the hour mark: a deflected Tzolis shot was headed on by Vermant, only to find Ordóñez able to tap it in from close range (1-1). Under steam, Club pushed on, and it took a brilliant Van Crombrugge to deny Tzolis from afar, and the Genk goalie also knew how to handle a Mechele header. Next up, Meijer, just on, with the fine chance, but the Dutchman aimed over. More Club chances came as Vanaken's shot went over, and Van Crombrugge again seemed to save the point for Genk denying Skóraś' attempt as he tapped it over the crossbar.
Still it wasn't over, as Club kept piling on the pressure, resulting in the 2-1 with ten minutes on the clock as a cleared corner kick ended up in the feet of Brandon Mechele, sending it home in between a bunch of legs. Tzolis then forgot to put it to bed for Club, and Genk also tried to claim that one point through Kayembe and Sor, but they again found Mignolet on their path. With just a few minutes to go, Club was down to ten as Ordóñez was sent off having brought down Tolu on his way to goal, but Club managed to hold on, securing that vital first win of the season.
Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 1
Attendance: 28,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Jorne Spileers (60’ Bjorn Meijer), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys – Raphael Onyedika (90’ Lynnt Audoor), Ludovit Reis (46’ Michał Skóraś), Hans Vanaken – Hugo Vetlesen (46’ Carlos Forbs), Romeo Vermant (82’ Nicolò Tresoldi), Christos Tzolis. Bench: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Zaid Romero, Cisse Sandra, Hugo Siquet en Shandre Campbell. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
KRC Genk: Hendrik Van Crombrugge – Zakaria El Ouahdi (75’ Ken Nkuba), Mujaid Sadick, Matte Smets, Joris Kayembe – Bryan Heynen, Nikolas Sattlberger, Konstantinos Karetsas (75’ Daan Heymans) – Jarne Steuckers, Hyeon-Gyu Oh (69’ Tolu Arokodare), Noah Adedeji-Sternberg (69’ Yira Sor). Coach: Thorsten Fink
Yellow cards: Mechele, Heynen, Sadick.
Red cards: 90+3’ Ordóñez.
Goals: 9’ Oh (0-1), 62’ Ordóñez (1-1), 81’ Mechele (2-1).