DEURNE, Belgium (Interstat) — Westerlo opened its Belgian First Division A campaign with a controlled 2-0 victory over Kampong Speu Province on Sunday at Bosuilstadion, overcoming a sluggish start with a pair of second-half goals from substitutes.

Playing in an organized competition under Belgium’s top-flight banner, the visiting side from Cambodia struggled to generate consistent offense against a disciplined Westerlo defense. The match, played before a sparse crowd, saw Westerlo’s superior depth and clinical finishing prove decisive after a first half that offered few clear chances.

The breakthrough finally came in the 64th minute. Substitute Bryan Reynolds, who had entered the match earlier, doubled Westerlo’s advantage with a well-taken finish, capitalizing on a Kampong Speu defensive lapse. Reynolds was instrumental in both goals, having provided the assist on the opener just 16 minutes after his introduction.

That first goal, which broke the deadlock in the 64th minute, was scored by fellow substitute Allahyar Sayyadmanesh. He found the net with a sharp effort following a buildup that involved multiple Westerlo players, effectively deflating a Kampong Speu side that had defended resolutely for over an hour.

Westerlo’s victory was built from the back, with key contributions from its defensive unit. Defender Yuto Tsunashima registered an assist on the day, though his involvement was marred by a yellow card received in the 21st minute, one of several cautions in a match that grew increasingly fractious. In total, six yellow cards were issued by the officiating crew, with five shown to Westerlo players in a span of 15 second-half minutes. Reynolds was booked shortly after Tsunashima in the 22nd minute, while substitutes Josimar Alcócer and Clinton Nsiala saw yellow in the 74th and 78th minutes, respectively. Midfielder Anthony Valencia and substitute Roman Neustädter were also cautioned in the closing stages.

The statistical narrative favored Westerlo from the outset. Interstat’s pre-match projections gave Westerlo a 56.60 percent probability of securing a win, with a predicted final score of 3-1. While the actual margin was narrower, the outcome aligned with the expectation of a Westerlo victory.

The result immediately separates the teams in the early First Division A table. Westerlo begins its season with a record of 1 win and 0 losses, both in this competition and across all fixtures. Kampong Speu Province, the designated home team for this contest played at a neutral venue in Deurne, starts its campaign with a record of 0 wins and 1 loss in all competitions.

The match highlighted the impact a bench can have, as Westerlo’s substitutes directly contributed to both goals. Beyond the scorers, assists were credited to Tsunashima, Nsiala, Neustädter, Valencia and Alcócer, demonstrating a wide distribution of creative play from the winning side.

Kampong Speu Province, representing Cambodia’s Kampong Speu Province, will look to regroup after a defeat that showcased the challenges of competing at this level. Their defensive organization for much of the game will provide a foundation, but a lack of attacking threat ultimately left them with a season-opening defeat. Westerlo, meanwhile, will aim to build on this professional, if not spectacular, start to the 2026 campaign.