In a tightly contested match at the Daio Wasabi Stayen Stadium, St. Truiden edged out Antwerp with a narrow 1-0 victory on November 2, 2025. The win was crucial for St. Truiden as they sought to regain momentum in their Jupiler Pro League campaign, while Antwerp continued to struggle near the bottom of the standings.
The decisive moment came early in the match when Ryotaro Ito found the back of the net in the 16th minute. His goal provided St. Truiden with a lead that they would hold onto for the remainder of the game. This was a much-needed boost for St. Truiden, who had only managed one win in their previous five matches and were coming off a disappointing loss against Union St. Gilloise.
However, things took a turn for Antwerp just six minutes later when Daam Foulon received a red card in the 22nd minute, leaving his team down to ten men. The dismissal significantly altered Antwerp's strategy and forced them to adopt a more defensive posture as they attempted to contain St. Truiden's attacking threats.
Despite being a man down, Antwerp showed resilience throughout the match, creating several opportunities but failing to convert any into goals. Their inability to capitalize on chances has been a recurring theme this season; they have now gone without a win in their last six league matches and remain entrenched in fourteenth place with just 11 points from twelve games.
St. Truiden's defense held firm against Antwerp's attempts to equalize, showcasing an organized performance that kept their opponents at bay. Goalkeeper Lo Kokubo made several key saves that preserved his team's lead and secured all three points for St. Truiden.
With this victory, St. Truiden climbed to seventh place in the standings with 18 points, providing them with some breathing room as they look ahead to their next fixture against Standard Liege on November 9. They will hope this win can serve as a springboard for better performances moving forward.
For Antwerp, however, this defeat adds another layer of pressure as they prepare for their upcoming match against RAAL La Louvière on November 8. With only two wins so far this season and mounting frustration among players and fans alike, it is clear that significant changes are needed if they hope to escape relegation concerns.
Reflecting on my earlier predictions about today's match-where I suggested that both teams might struggle offensively-I must admit I underestimated St. Truiden's ability to capitalize on early opportunities while also failing to foresee how pivotal Foulon's red card would be for Antwerp's chances of success today.
As both teams move forward from this encounter, it is evident that each faces distinct challenges: St. Truiden aims to build upon this hard-fought victory while Antwerp seeks desperately for answers amid ongoing struggles in front of goal and overall team cohesion.