SINT-TRUIDEN, Belgium (Interstat) — St. Truiden overcame a fourth-minute deficit and pulled away from Lommel SK for a 4-1 home victory on Sunday in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. Lommel SK struck first when Jason Van Duiven scored in the fourth minute, but St. Truiden answered in the 15th through Kaito Matsuzawa and took the lead in the 39th when Shion Shinkawa scored. The hosts added two more after halftime, with Frederic Soelle scoring in the 62nd minute and St. Truiden completing the scoring in the 71st. The visitors could not close the gap after the break as St. Truiden protected its advantage and finished with a convincing home result. St. Truiden’s response was steady after the early setback, and the home side gradually took control of possession and territory. Lommel SK, which had opened the scoring in the fourth minute, was forced to chase the game after falling behind before halftime. St. Truiden kept the pressure on after the restart and was rewarded with two second-half goals. The home side managed the closing stages well and prevented Lommel SK from building sustained pressure.

Matsuzawa was the first of St. Truiden’s key performers, scoring once while playing all 90 minutes. Soelle also scored while playing the full 90 minutes, and Shinkawa scored in a 90-minute appearance. For Lommel SK, Van Duiven scored while playing all 90 minutes. Lommel SK’s Reyners was shown a yellow card in the 23rd minute, and Schoofs was booked in the 48th. Lommel SK made a substitution at halftime, bringing on Nypan, and made two more changes in the 60th minute with Pelupessy and Adewoye. The visitors used all three of their listed changes as they sought a way back into the match, but St. Truiden held its shape and protected the lead.

The result moved Lommel SK to 1 win and 1 loss in this competition, while St. Truiden improved to 1 win and 0 losses. Across all competitions, both teams are now 4 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. The teams had played to a 1-1 draw in their previous meeting this season, and this rematch turned on St. Truiden’s response after conceding early. Lommel SK had chances to reduce the deficit, but St. Truiden’s finishing in the second half put the game beyond reach. St. Truiden’s defense held firm over the final stretch, and the home side saw out the win without further goals. The visitors pushed forward in search of a second goal, but St. Truiden kept its shape and limited clear chances. St. Truiden’s second-half goals allowed the home side to play with a cushion, and Lommel SK was unable to find a response over the final 20 minutes.

Lommel SK’s recent results included a 3-1 win at Beveren, a 2-0 win at Diksmuide Oostende, a 0-0 draw with KV Mechelen, a 5-0 loss at Union SG, a 1-0 loss to Club Brugge, a 1-0 win at Cercle Brugge, a 4-0 win over Westerlo, a 1-0 loss to RSC Charleroi and the earlier 1-1 draw at St. Truiden. St. Truiden’s recent results included a 2-0 win over Iberia 1999, a 4-3 loss at KV Mechelen, a 2-0 home loss to Westerlo, a 2-0 loss at W-Beveren, a 4-0 win over RAAL, a 3-0 home loss to Union SG, a 4-1 win at Antwerp FC, a 3-3 draw at Cercle Brugge and the 1-1 draw with Lommel SK. The previous meeting between the sides had finished level, and the rematch produced a much different second half as St. Truiden pulled away.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of St. Truiden 1, Lommel SK 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected St. Truiden with an 80.1 percent probability to win. St. Truiden had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.25. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 3.25.