Genk victory in Sarajevo not enough
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Article summary
FK Sarajevo 0-1 KRC Genk (agg: 2-2, Sarajevo win on away goals) Genk's success in Bosnia-Herzegovina could not keep Sarajevo from reaching the next round.
Article body
FK Sarajevo lost the second leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie at home to KRC Genk – but progressed thanks to the two away goals they scored in Belgium last week.
Opportunity knocks
Strikes from Admir Raščić and Veldin Muharemović in a 2-1 victory had left Sarajevo well-placed to become the first club from Bosnia-Herzegovina to contest the third qualifying round since NK Željezničar in 2002/03. And despite Tomislav Mikulić giving Genk the win in today's return leg, Sarajevo will now have the chance to better Željezničar's performance by overcoming FC Dynamo Kiev and reaching the group stage.
Away pressure
Genk, needing to score twice, began brightly and home goalkeeper Muhamed Alaim had to be alert to deny Balázs Tóth; at the other end Marko Maksimović dragged a shot wide of the near post. Still in the ascendancy at the start of the second half, the visitors made the breakthrough on 58 minutes when Mikulić headed in Alexandre Afonso Da Silva's free-kick. However, the Belgian side could not get the second goal that would have taken them through – Elyaniv Barda having an effort saved by Alaim – as Sarajevo held on for that date with the Ukrainian champions.
