Stayen, Sint-Truiden – Sint-Truiden delivered a commanding performance Friday evening, dispatching Westerlo 3-0 in a Jupiler Pro League encounter that saw the visitors reduced to ten men. The comprehensive victory, punctuated by a brace from Rihito Yamamoto and a goal from Abdoulaye Sissako, puts STVV in a strong position as the league enters its 24th matchday.
The home side established their dominance early, taking the lead in the 10th minute through Yamamoto. The Japanese midfielder found the back of the net, initiating a first-half onslaught that left Westerlo reeling. Sissako doubled the advantage in the 31st minute, capitalizing on opportunities created by STVV’s relentless pressure. Yamamoto completed his brace just before halftime, extending the lead to 3-0 in the 42nd minute.
Westerlo’s struggles were compounded by a red card issued to Dylan Ourega in the 76th minute. Ourega received a second yellow card for a foul on Matsuzawa, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback for the visitors. The sending-off was described as a “kelk tot op de bodem” – a cup to the bottom – by commentators, signifying a complete collapse for Westerlo.
The first half was particularly one-sided, with STVV demonstrating a clear tactical advantage. While details of the specific tactical approach weren’t immediately available, Westerlo manager Wouter Vrancken acknowledged the need for improvement, stating his team has been “working for months” to address their issues, according to reporting from HBVL. The focus appears to be on building from the back and capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities, a strategy they attempted to implement after the break.
Despite the comfortable lead, STVV will be looking to build on this performance as they aim to challenge for a top spot in the league. They had previously missed an opportunity to move into the league lead the previous week, but this win provides a significant boost to their ambitions. The question now is whether they can maintain this form against tougher opposition.
Westerlo, will need to regroup quickly. While Tuur Rommens emphasized that the team is “getting the machine running,” as reported by Voetbalprimeur.be, this defeat highlights vulnerabilities that need addressing. Rommens also noted that the team’s recent clean sheet record – two in a row prior to this match – is something to build upon, but the defensive frailties exposed by STVV will be a major concern.
The match also saw a flurry of yellow cards, with Loïc Mbe Soh, Dylan Ourega (before his red card), Dogucan Haspolat and Sebaoui all receiving cautions. Substitutions were made by both sides, with Westerlo bringing on Allahyar Sayyadmanesh for Naoufal Bohamdi-Kamoni in the 74th minute, and STVV replacing Visar Musliu with Loïc Mbe Soh in the 6th minute.
The game’s flow was disrupted by several stoppages, including the red card incident and a promising attack from Westerlo involving Matsuzawa and Sebaoui that was thwarted by Westerlo goalkeeper Jungdal. The incident involving Jungdal, described as a “blunder” by Voetbalkrant.com, contributed to the widening gap in the scoreline.
This result marks a significant setback for Westerlo, who had been showing signs of improvement. The 3-0 defeat is a stark reminder of the challenges they face in consistently competing at the highest level of Belgian football. For STVV, it’s a statement win that solidifies their position as a force to be reckoned with in the Jupiler Pro League.
The victory also provides a positive momentum shift for STVV, following a previous missed opportunity to claim the league lead. The team will be hoping to carry this form into their upcoming fixtures, as they look to mount a serious challenge for the championship title. The performance against Westerlo suggests they have the attacking firepower and defensive solidity to achieve their goals.
Looking ahead, Westerlo will need to analyze their performance and identify areas for improvement. The team’s ability to bounce back from this defeat will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the season. The focus will likely be on tightening up their defense and finding a more consistent attacking threat.
