St. Truiden delivered an emphatic 4-1 victory over Dender at the Dender Football Complex, showcasing their attacking prowess in the 26th round of the Jupiler Pro League. The match opened dramatically with Dender's Noah Mbamba scoring in the very first minute, instantly igniting the home crowd. However, St. Truiden soon took control, with Ilias Sebaoui equalizing in the 24th minute, followed by Ryotaro Ito's deft finish in the 34th minute to give the visitors the lead at halftime.
Early Setback, Strong Reaction
Dender's bright start, marked by Mbamba's early goal, was quickly overshadowed by St. Truiden's response. Sebaoui's strike, assisted by Keisuke Goto, brought the game level, and just ten minutes later, Ito capitalized on a well-timed pass from Abdoulaye Sissako to put his team ahead. The first half ended with Dender struggling to regain their initial momentum, despite holding a respectable amount of possession.
St. Truiden's Second-Half Surge
The second half saw St. Truiden assert their dominance further. Rihito Yamamoto added a third goal in the 67th minute, receiving a clever assist from Ito, who was pivotal in St. Truiden's offensive strategy. The hosts' frustrations were compounded with yellow cards to Mbamba and Malcolm Viltard as they attempted to disrupt the visitors' rhythm. St. Truiden's attacking efficiency culminated in Arianit Muja's goal in the 87th minute, sealing a comprehensive win.
Tactical Mastery and Key Performances
St. Truiden's superior ball control, reflected in their 61% possession, allowed them to dictate the pace of the game. With 550 passes and an 84% pass accuracy, their fluidity was evident. Ito's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he not only scored but also orchestrated play with key passes. Meanwhile, Yamamoto's contribution in duels and defensive plays helped maintain St. Truiden's structure throughout.
Looking Forward
For Dender, this defeat marks a challenging period, with recent form showing inconsistency. Despite their early energy, they failed to capitalize on their chances, as their 11 total shots and 39% possession highlighted a struggle against a more cohesive opponent. St. Truiden continues their impressive run, with this win adding to a series of strong performances that bolster their position in the league.
