Great expectations
Belgium looking to improving on quarterfinal exits at 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016
ROBERTO MARTINEZ can’t wait to lead an outstanding Belgium side into the World Cup as they prepare to take on Panama in their opening game today. A team who sit third in the FIFA rankings and who boast what is frequently labelled a golden generation featuring the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne have come to Russia with a considerable weight of expectation on their shoulders.
They are strongly fancied to progress to the knockout phase as winners of Group G, despite being drawn alongside England, and so it would be a major upset if they slipped up in Sochi against a side making their World Cup debut.
“I would like to see that the team can play a game and not play the World Cup, to see a team where they enjoy the responsibility that they carry,” Martinez said at the Fisht Stadium yesterday.
“I’m excited. I see the players work, I see them in training, and they are just desperate to perform for the fans back in Belgium.”
Belgium’s results under Martinez have been excellent, with last Monday’s 4-1 friendly win over Costa Rica in Brussels meaning they are unbeaten in 19 matches going back almost two years, to the very start of the Spaniard’s reign.
“I think we know how strong we are and I hope we can show i t i n this tournament,” said the Napoli forward Dries Mertens, who along with his teammates trained in the shadow of the Sochi stadium yesterday.
The prospect of facing England in Kaliningrad on June 28 is a mouthwatering one.
All going to plan for these sides, first place will be up for grabs. Then there are Martinez’s past links to the Premier League and the presence of Thierry Henry and Englishman Graeme Jones on his coaching staff.
The majority of his squad either play or have played in England, but for now Martinez is only thinking about Panama.
“Getting to the World Cup has been a great result for Panamanian football. I am not expecting an easy game,” he said.
Improving on quarterfinal exits at both the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 has to be the aim, but Belgium’s preparations have not been aided by defensive injury problems – both Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany are struggling for fitness.
Barcelona centreback Vermaelen will not play against Panama due to a hamstring problem, while Manchester City skipper Kompany is not expected to be available before the match against England due to a groin complaint.
However, Martinez believes the 32year-old’s experience is invaluable, even if he is unable to play against Panama or against Tunisia i n Moscow next weekend.
“Vinny Kompany has been in this sort of situation for a long time now, and the decision is to use his know-how, and his experience, around the group.
“He did it with his club this season after not playing for four months, he performed against Chelsea in one of the most demanding games of the season. He is a player who with his experience can perform straight away.” y – AFP