Former Antwerp and KRC Genk forward Patrick Goots has predicted that KRC Genk’s head coach, Thorsten Fink, might opt to bench Belgian league top scorer Tolu Arokodare in favour of South Korean striker Hyeon-gyu Oh for their upcoming fixture against KV Kortrijk, Soccernet.ng reports.
This decision could come as a surprise, especially given Arokodare’s impressive form this season.
Arokodare, who has netted six goals so far, has been instrumental in Genk’s stellar start to the Jupiler Pro League. However, Goots believes Fink could make a bold move this weekend.
“I don’t think Fink will simply change his system, but it could very well be that he starts Oh against Kortrijk,” Goots told Het Belang van Limburg as per Voetbal Belgie.
Fink faces a “luxury problem” with two in-form strikers competing for a single spot in the lineup.
Arokodare has been a consistent threat, but last weekend, he struggled against KV Mechelen and was substituted on the hour mark for Oh.
The South Korean ace made an immediate impact, scoring two goals to secure a 2-1 win for Genk.
Fink previously hinted that Oh was ready to start, and Goots supports the idea.
“By putting Tolu on the bench, Fink could seek that little bit of extra motivation from the top scorer,” Goots added.
Oh’s recent performances, combined with his ability to win over fans with his passionate celebration after scoring against Mechelen, could see him favoured for the starting role.
Genk currently sit atop the league with 22 points from 27, having won seven consecutive matches.
With Antwerp and AA Gent trailing by six points, Fink may not have many reasons to alter his winning formula.
Still, the competition between Arokodare and Oh adds an intriguing layer to Genk’s continued success.
As Goots concludes, “It will depend on how they perform in training, but it’s clear that Fink has a tough decision to make.”
Since joining Genk in January 2023 for €5 million, 23-year-old Arokodare has registered 23 goals and five assists in 72 appearances for the Belgian club.
