Rapid come from behind to deny Genk
Thursday, October 24, 2013
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KRC Genk 1-1 SK Rapid Wien
Marcel Sabitzer struck eight minutes from time to salvage the visitors a point and end Genk's 100% start to UEFA Europa League Group G.
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Group G leaders KRC Genk dropped their first points in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League as SK Rapid Wien came from behind to draw 1-1 in Belgium.
The home team were on course for a sixth straight win in all competitions when Julien Gorius's 21st-minute strike flew in. The Belgian Cup holders were denied by the woodwork in the second half and paid the price as Marcel Sabitzer headed in late on to register the visitors their second point.
Ján Novota was needed to spare left-back Stephan Palla's blushes in the 11th minute as the goalkeeper beat Jelle Vossen to a wayward backpass. Ten minutes later Genk took the lead in fine style as Fabien Camus played a short free-kick to Gorius, who took a touch before rifling an unstoppable 25-metre effort into the top corner for his third goal in as many UEFA Europa League appearances.
Exhibiting pace, energy and intensity all over the field, Mario Been's side had established a hold on proceedings but Rapid almost equalised eight minutes before the interval when defender Kalidou Koulibaly sliced a Terrence Boyd header over.
Katuku Tshimanga crashed an effort off the crossbar shortly before the hour and Vossen headed fractionally wide. There would be a sting in the tail, though, as eight minutes from time the unmarked Sabitzer connected with a magnificent whipped cross from the left by substitute Thomas Schrammel to level from close range. Genk pushed hard in the closing stages and Gorius whistled a shot wide in stoppage time, but they had to settle for a point.