Belgian Pro League side Sint-Truiden secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Anderlecht on April 23, 2026, marking their first win in Playoff 1 and keeping them in third place in the standings.
The match, played at the King Power at Den Dreef Stadium, featured a historic moment as six Japanese players started for Sint-Truiden: goalkeeper Rei Okubo Brian, defenders Yoshito Guchi, midfielders Rihito Yamamoto, Ryotaro Ito, and Kaisei Matsuzawa, and forward Keisuke Goto.
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Ito delivered a cross from the right flank, which Goto met with a right-footed finish to open the scoring. It was Goto’s 11th goal of the season and his second consecutive match scoring against his former club, Anderlecht, having joined Sint-Truiden on a loan deal without an option to buy in August 2025.
“Ryotaro had the ball, lifted his head, and I knew the run was coming,” Goto said after the match. “I won the battle with the defender and finished the chance.”
Sint-Truiden added a late goal to seal the victory, with Goto expressing particular joy at defeating his former teammates on home soil. “Winning Playoff 1 for the first time, especially at home, and beating the team I still feel connected to — it means a lot,” he added.
The result keeps Sint-Truiden in contention for a European qualification spot through the playoff system, with the team aiming to build on this momentum in the remaining fixtures.
This performance highlights the growing presence of Japanese players in European football, with Goto’s contribution underscoring their increasing impact in top-tier leagues abroad.
