Rafiu Durosinmi believes his growing understanding with Daan Heymans and Junya Ito is beginning to pay off at KRC Genk, with the Super Eagles striker pointing to their combination in a 2-0 win away to Virton as an example of how work on the training ground is translating into goals, Footynaija.com reports.
Genk travelled to Virton for their Croky Cup tie after a 3-0 league win over Kortrijk, but coach Jess Thorup knew his side would need patience against opponents prepared to defend deep and compete for every ball.
Heymans opened the scoring after 20 minutes, heading home a cross from Kayembe, before Durosinmi doubled Genk’s advantage around the half-hour mark. The result secured their place in the last 16, although the visitors had to work for the victory against a stubborn Virton side.
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Durosinmi credits Genk’s attacking connection
The Nigerian’s goal came from a move that involved all three players. Heymans helped set the attack in motion before Ito played the ball through to Durosinmi, who spotted an opening between the goalkeeper’s legs and took his chance.
Speaking to Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg, as reported by Voeltbalprimeur, Durosinmi explained why the combination worked.
“Daan helped initiate the move and Ito played the ball to me. We click,” he said.
The striker also credited the work done in training for helping Genk reproduce those movements during matches.
“What we practise in training, we bring to the matches,” Durosinmi added.
His finish required a brief moment of judgement, as he admitted he hesitated before deciding to shoot through the goalkeeper’s legs.
“I hesitated for a moment, but I saw there was space between the keeper’s legs and took the risk. A good goal,” he said.
Durosinmi’s contribution was not limited to the finish. He worked hard as Genk’s focal point and stressed that the tie demanded more effort than the scoreline might suggest.
“In a match like this, you have to run until you can’t anymore,” he said, explaining that Virton had turned the contest into a battle.
Genk’s next task is a league meeting with Standard Liège on October 25. For Durosinmi, the challenge will be to carry that understanding with Heymans and Ito into the next match as the club returns to domestic action.
