DENDERLEEUW, Belgium (Interstat) — Roman Květ’s first-half goal proved decisive as Dender opened its domestic campaign with a 1-0 victory over visiting Kampong Speu Province in a First Division A match Sunday at DENDER Football Complex.

The match, part of Belgium’s second-tier professional league, was settled by a 32nd-minute strike from the Dender midfielder. Květ finished a sequence he helped create, converting an assist from defender Naïl Moutha-Sebtaoui to beat the Kampong Speu Province goalkeeper.

The solitary goal stood despite a late push from the visitors, who were unable to find an equalizer against a disciplined Dender defense. The result handed Kampong Speu Province a loss in its debut match in this competition, while Dender started its season with a win.

Květ’s influential performance was marred by a yellow card he received in the 56th minute for a foul. Moutha-Sebtaoui, whose earlier assist was crucial, also saw a late yellow card in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time as Dender worked to preserve its clean sheet.

The final score defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 1-1 draw. The same analytics system, however, had given Dender a significant 74.40 percent probability of winning the contest based on its ELO ratings, an expectation the home side ultimately fulfilled.

With the win, Dender improves its record in First Division A play to one win and no losses. Across all competitions this season, the club now holds an identical 1-0 record. Kampong Speu Province begins its campaign in the Belgian league with a record of no wins and one loss, adjusting its overall season mark across all tournaments to one win and one loss.

The fixture was a rare intercontinental club meeting, with Kampong Speu Province representing Cambodia. The visitors face a quick turnaround, as their schedule shows a match against Sydney FC in Australia’s A-League later the same day, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, highlighting a demanding international travel itinerary.

Dender will look to build on the momentum of this opening victory in its next league fixture, while Kampong Speu Province seeks its first points in the division following its long journey to Australia.