World Cup 2018 Preview - Belgium

Team: Belgium

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Group: G

Other teams in group: Panama, Tunisia, England

 

THE SQUAD

Belgium have a star studded squad of players to use for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. The Premier League pairing of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard will be sure to test most defences during tournament time and that is only half of Belgium’s strengths to go with Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Vincent Kompany to name but a few how are all heavy hitters. The biggest shock to come from Roberto Martinez squad announcement is the fact midfielder Radja Nainggolan had been omitted, the Roma man is sure to be missed even with Belgium’s level of talent.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers:Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg).

Defenders:Toby Alderweireld Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Thomas Meunier (PSG).



Midfielders:Youri Tielemans (AS Monaco), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Nacer Chadli (West Brom).

Forwards:Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid). 

 

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Belgium became the first European team to qualifying for this year’s World Cup in Russia after topping their group with 28 points out of the possible clean sweep of 30. Belgium won both of their opening games, a 3-0 win over Cyprus which was followed up by a 4-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. They had two more rampant victories - a 6-0 win over Gibraltar and an 8-1 win over Estonia – which had them looking very comfortable after four games.

Greece proved to be the only team to test Belgium in their group, almost besting them on their home turf but for an 89thminute equaliser from Romelu Lukaku they almost put a dent in their qualification bid. The draw to Greece however did little to hinder their qualification bid as they went on to win all of their remaining matches including a win away to Greece. 



“I like the way in which we qualified,” said manager Roberto Martinez. “Going to Greece and winning is never easy, and it felt very special to qualify with a win there. Generally speaking, the whole campaign was good. The level of concentration and motivation was very high, even when we went to Bosnia and Herzegovina afterwards and won a game in which they needed the points. “

 

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Kevin De Bruyne

The Manchester City playmaker certainly made his mark in the Premier League season as he created 24 goals for his side on the way to their record breaking title success, scoring eight goals and assisting 16. On the international front he only featured in seven of Belgium’s qualifiers but still has the level of skill an experience to be a huge influence in how Belgium will play at the World Cup. 

Eden Hazard

One of Belgium’s greatest players, Eden Hazard has been in high demand for his national side since making his international debut in 2008 aged just 17, becoming Belgium’s eigth youngest ever player in the nation’s history and he is now their captain. His skills have been shown in abundance in the club competitions winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and League Cup, and Europa League with Chelsea. He also has won numerous individual awards including PFA Players Player of the year and PFA Young Player of the Year.

Jan Vertonghen

A highly experienced and versitile player who can line out at centre half and left back, Jan Vertonghen has been at the heart of Belgium’s defence since making his first international appearance in 2007. He is a World Cup veteran at this stage featuring in the 2010 qualifying process and 2014 tournament itself. 11 years to the day after making his debut against Portugal, Vertonghen won his 100thcap for his side against the same opposition in a recent World Cup warmup friendly. 

 

 

 

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING

18 June:Belgium v Panama, Fisht Stadium Sochi

23 June:Belgium v Tunisa, Spartak Stadium Moscow

28 June:England v Belgium, Kaliningrad Stadium Kaliningrad

 After the draw Roberto Martinez acknowledged that the group draw would be a challenging one, he is also relishing the chance to play England. "I lived for 21 years in England, so it is very special," said Martinez. "It's the World Cup, we have a challenging draw, lots of travelling. We are looking forward to it, we have a really good group of players.”

Belgium will be staying at the Moscow Country Club, an international-class suburban hotel and golf club. The sports complex covers an area of 5900 square metres, plus three hectares of outdoor courts. The complex is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities for fitness, recreation, health and rejuvenation. Their base is located 90 minutes from Moscow but they will need to travel 23 hours to Sochi and 15 hours to Kaliningrad which is not even in mainland Russia. They will train inside the grounds of the country club.

 

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

This will be Belgium’s 13thWorld Cup participation, unlucky for some is the number 13 but can it be for Belgium? The best number they have had at the World Cup is seven. Their sevent World Cup in 1986 has been their best to date coming in fourth place, losing to Argentina in the semi final and to France in the third place playoff.

Belgium’s current assistant manager is Thierry Henry, a great forward in his day it seems that his ability has rubbed off on his squad as they had the joint highest goal scoring tally during the qualification stages. Henry scored six World Cup goals and is sure to offer advice to any forward needing help.

The average age of the Belgium squad for this year’s World Cup is 27.6, which sees them mid table with squad ages for the competition. Belgium also have one of the lowest numbers of how grown league players playing in the squad with just one player selected, Leander Dendoncker of Anderlecht.

 

THEIR RECENT FORM

Belgium have a phenomenal record going into this year’s World Cup, winning nine out of ten games in qualifying and remaining unbeaten. They also have won eight from their last ten games again remaining unbeaten. Belgium have not tasted defeat since September 2016 where they lost to Spain in a friendly before that it was defeat in the quarter final of Euro 2016 against Wales.  

 

First game:The Red Devils play Panama in their opening Group G fixture on 18th June in Sochi.