Wouter Vrancken refuses to accept dip as STVV draw with Belgian champions KAA Gent
Wouter Vrancken made it clear after STVV’s 0-0 draw with KAA Gent on Sunday that he refuses to label the performance a dip, insisting his side matched the Belgian champions blow for blow despite failing to convert their chances.
The Sint-Truidense head coach was particularly frustrated with his team’s profligacy in front of goal, pointing to three clear-cut opportunities created by Hiroshi Matsuzawa and Mamadou Diouf that went begging.
“We had the best chances and we pick up a point away at KAA Gent. We still have the confidence, we keep searching for the footballing solution. We simply necessitate to be a bit more clinical and not try to do things too beautifully,” Vrancken said in his post-match analysis, as reported by Voetbalkrant.com.
The draw leaves both teams in the hunt for European qualification spots in the Belgian Pro League, with neither side gaining significant ground in the race for continental football next season.
Vrancken disappointed with missed opportunities
Vrancken was unequivocal in his assessment that STVV should have won the match, citing the expected goals (xG) metric as evidence of their underperformance in front of goal.
“If you look at the expected goals, it’s disappointing in that area. We weren’t clinical enough when we had the chances,” the former Belgian international midfielder stated.
The coach acknowledged the difficulty of the first half but noted improvement after the break, saying his team became more direct and had better possession in the second period.
“It was demanding in the first half. We needed to be more clinical sometimes. But it was also a good lesson in that first half. The second half was better, more direct and we had more of the ball,” Vrancken explained.
Respect for the point earned
While disappointed with the missed chances, Vrancken maintained that earning a point at the Ghelamco Arena was still a positive result given STVV’s recent form and the quality of the opposition.
“If you see where we arrive from, a draw at Gent is naturally still good, but the beautiful thing about the group is that they are disappointed at every point loss. It’s now a matter of quickly switching and not sitting too long in the disappointment,” he said.
The STVV boss emphasized his team’s resilience, noting their determination to bounce back quickly from any setbacks.
About Wouter Vrancken
Wouter Vrancken, born February 3, 1979 in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, is currently in his second stint as head coach of Sint-Truidense Voetbalvereniging (STVV), having returned to the club in 2025 after previous managerial spells at KV Mechelen, KRC Genk, and KAA Gent.
As a player, Vrancken made over 170 appearances for STVV in two spells (1996-2004 and 2010), scoring 14 goals, before also featuring for KAA Gent, KRC Genk, KV Mechelen, and KV Kortrijk during his playing career.
The former Belgium youth international (1 U18 cap, 17 U21 caps) transitioned into management after retiring as a player, beginning his coaching career with lower league clubs before working his way up through the Belgian professional ranks.
Match context and implications
The April 19, 2026 encounter between KAA Gent and STVV represented a clash between two teams with European ambitions, with Gent sitting atop the Belgian Pro League table at the time and STVV pushing for a top-six finish that would qualify them for European competition.
Both teams created chances throughout the 90 minutes, with STVV appearing to have the better opportunities according to Vrancken’s post-match comments, but neither could find the breakthrough goal that would have secured all three points.
The result leaves the European qualification race wide open, with several teams separated by just a few points as the season enters its decisive phase.
What’s next for STVV
STVV will look to build on the performance against Gent as they prepare for their next fixture, aiming to convert their chances more effectively in pursuit of a vital three points that could significantly impact their European qualification hopes.
The team will need to address the clinical finishing issues highlighted by Vrancken if they are to achieve their seasonal objectives, with the coach emphasizing that the solution lies in simplicity rather than overcomplicating their approach in the final third.
As the Belgian Pro League campaign progresses, every point becomes increasingly valuable in the tightly contested race for European places, making STVV’s ability to convert draws into wins a crucial factor in their end-of-season positioning.
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