Belgium pledges not to underestimate Japan

DRIES Mertens has warned Belgium against the perils of complacency as it prepares to face Japan tomorrow with one eye on a possible quarter-final showdown with Brazil.

The Belgians have emerged as dark horses at this World Cup, with their “Golden Generation” of players tipped to mount a deep run into the knockout rounds.

Roberto Martinez’s side defeated England 1-0 in its last outing to top Group G, earning what on paper should be a straightforward last 16 assignment against Japan.

But Mertens says the Red Devils are wary of a possible repeat of their Euro 2016 quarter-final, when they crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Wales despite being favoured to progress.

“I remember the Wales game,” the Belgian forward said. “Everyone thought we were going to go through. Suddenly we’re out of the tournament. We’re not going to underestimate Japan because they have a strong team.”

After making nine changes for last Thursday’s win over England, Martinez is expected to revert to the line-up that impressed in one-sided wins over Panama and Tunisia.

With nine goals so far in Russia, Belgium is the World Cup’s topscoring team. Striker Romelu Lukaku has claimed four with two against both Tunisia and Panama in the group stages.

The Manchester United star is set to face Japan after missing the win over England with an ankle knock.

Martinez has all his players fit as Belgium hopes to improve its best performance at a World Cup finals, 32 years after reaching the semi-finals of Mexico 1986.

Japan meanwhile will be aiming to make history by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

The Blue Samurai have reached the last 16 twice before, in 2002 and 2010, but on each occasion fell at the first hurdle.