NIJLEN, Belgium (Dec. 13, 2025) (Interstat) — Substitute Gil Boogaerts scored a second-half equalizer to salvage a 1-1 draw for KFC Nijlen against Sportief Rotselaar in a Belgian Division 2 match Saturday at KFC Nijlen A-terrein.

The result extended Nijlen’s unbeaten run at home to five matches but felt like two points dropped for the hosts, who were heavily favored. Pre-game analytics from Interstat gave Nijlen a 77.40 percent probability to win, with a projected final score of 2-1.

Sportief Rotselaar, arriving with just two wins in their previous 16 league matches, defied those projections by taking the lead in the 37th minute. Midfielder Sacha Fontaine finished a play set up by Quinten Van Steenwinkel, stunning the home supporters and putting the visitors in position for a rare road victory.

Nijlen, which now holds a season record of five wins, three losses and seven draws in Division 2, controlled large portions of the match but struggled to break down a resolute Rotselaar defense. The tension increased as the second half wore on, leading to a pair of yellow cards in quick succession. Rotselaar’s Jef Boogaerts was booked in the 77th minute, followed by Nijlen’s Van Steenwinkel in the 83rd.

The breakthrough for the hosts finally came late, orchestrated by the Boogaerts brothers. Jef Boogaerts, recently cautioned, redeemed himself by providing the assist for his brother Gil, who entered the match as a substitute. Gil Boogaerts found the net to level the score and ensure the points were shared.

The draw continues a trend of close contests between these sides this season. Their previous meeting on Sept. 20 also ended in a 2-2 draw. For Rotselaar, now with a league record of three wins, eight losses and five draws, the point represents a hard-earned result on the road against a team above them in the standings.

Neither team could find a winner in the closing minutes, leaving both to settle for a single point. The result does little to alter the mid-table positioning of KFC Nijlen, while Sportief Rotselaar will take encouragement from a resilient performance against a team that had defeated them in the pre-game simulations.

KFC Nijlen will look to return to winning form on Jan. 10, 2026, when they host K. Berchem Sport 2004. Sportief Rotselaar’s next match is the same day, a home fixture against KVK Wellen.