St. Truiden played out a 1-1 draw against Lommel United in the opening round of the Pro-League Jupiler regular season on Saturday evening. The home side took an early lead through a penalty, but Lommel United responded to level matters before the interval ended. The match finished with a point apiece as both teams began their campaign without a decisive result.
R. Seuntjens converted a penalty in the twenty-fourth minute to give St. Truiden the advantage, and the home side looked comfortable for most of the first half. Lommel United, however, adjusted their approach and found their equaliser through I. Sebaoui in the sixty-fourth minute. Things came to a head when O. Diouf appeared to have scored a late winner, but the goal was cancelled by VAR in the ninetieth minute.
St. Truiden controlled possession with sixty-six per cent of the ball and registered twenty shots, though only four found the target. They created just one big chance compared to Lommel United's three, and their shooting accuracy of thirteen per cent tells you something about the finishing. Lommel United were more efficient in front of goal despite having less territory and fewer attacks overall.
Both managers made several changes during the match, with substitutions coming at forty-nine, fifty-six, sixty-eight, seventy-three, seventy-six and eighty-nine minutes. N. Ishiwatari received a yellow card in the seventy-fifth minute for St. Truiden, while Lommel United kept their discipline throughout. The defensive work was notable on both sides, with Lommel United making forty-two clearances compared to the home team's eighteen.
The result leaves St. Truiden in seventh place with eight points from five games, while Lommel United sit ninth on seven points. Both sides have won two matches in their last five, though St. Truiden's recent form includes a heavy defeat against AEK Athens. This draw extends their unbeaten run to four fixtures and keeps them within touching distance of the teams above.