GHENT, Belgium (Interstat) — In a Belgian First Division A match that defied pregame projections, rivals KRC Genk and KAA Gent played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday at a rain-swept Planet Group Arena.

The result saw the two clubs remain locked together in the league standings, each now holding an identical record of five wins, four losses and three draws through 12 matches of the domestic campaign. The share of the points was a far cry from the dominant victory for Genk that was widely anticipated, with Interstat’s game simulator having projected a 2-1 win for the visitors and its ELO system giving Genk an 86.5 percent probability of securing all three points.

Instead, the match unfolded as a tale of two halves, with Gent seizing the early initiative before Genk clawed back after the interval to salvage the draw.

The home side, known as the Buffalos, started brightly and were rewarded in the 24th minute. The opening goal came from substitute Oh Hyeongyu, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot the ball home and send the home supporters into a frenzy. The assist on the play was credited to defender Maksim Paskotši.

Genk, which had entered the contest on the back of a 1-0 victory over Westerlo, struggled to find its rhythm in the first half. The visitors’ frustration was evident early when substitute Josué Kongolo was shown a yellow card in just the sixth minute, one of three cautions issued in the physical contest.

The second half saw a reinvigorated Genk side take control of the tempo. Their persistence paid off in the 56th minute when midfielder Omri Gandelman leveled the score. Gandelman finished a well-worked team move, with the assist provided by defender Tiago Araújo.

The goal ignited a more open and frantic period of play. Paskotši, the provider of Gent’s goal, found his name taken by the referee just three minutes after the equalizer for a tactical foul. As the clock ticked into second-half stoppage time, Araújo also received a yellow card, cementing a match defined by its combative midfield battles.

Neither side could find a decisive winner in the closing stages, leaving both to reflect on a hard-fought point. For Genk, the draw extends a mixed run of form that includes recent wins over Westerlo and Dender but also losses to Union St-Gilloise and Sporting Charleroi. Their overall record across all competitions now sits at six wins, five losses and three draws.

For Gent, the result provides a measure of stability following a demoralizing 4-0 defeat away to Sporting Oud-Heverlee in their previous league outing. Their overall record this season mirrors their league standing at five wins, four losses and three draws.

Looking ahead, Genk will prepare to host Mechelen on Nov. 23, while Gent travels to face Westerlo a day earlier on Nov. 22. Both clubs will then continue their First Division A schedules through the end of the year, with key fixtures against the likes of Club Brugge and Union St-Gilloise looming in December.