Don’t look past Japan - Mertens
BEWARE: ASIANS CHASING HISTORY
Belgians expected to be back to full strength for last-16 clash. Rostov-on-Don
Dries Mertens has warned his Belgium team-mates against the perils of complacency as they prepare to face Japan today with one eye on a possible quarterfinal 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 their 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 quarterfinal, when they crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Wales despite being favoured.
Mertens said: “Everyone thought we were going through, no problem. And then suddenly, we’re out of the tournament.
“We’re not going to underestimate Japan because they have a strong team. If they have got this far, it means they’re a good side.”
After making nine changes for last Thursday’s win over England, Martinez is expected to revert to the line-up which impressed in wins over Panama and Tunisia.
With nine goals so far in Russia, Belgium are the World Cup’s top-scoring 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 hope to improve their best performance at a World Cup finals, 32 years after reaching the semifinals of Mexico 1986.
Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen, who played for 76 min against England, has proven he is over the thigh injury he suffered last month.
Manchester City centreback Vincent Kompany, who replaced Vermaelen against the Three Li- ons, could force his way into the starting side after shaking off a groin injury.
Japan, meanwhile, will be aiming to make history by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals 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.
The Japanese have endured stinging criticism in the aftermath of their final group game when they ran the clock down in a 1-0 defeat to Poland.
“Of course, it didn’t look too good in the end, when the fans whistled, but for us the most important thing is that we progressed, said Japanese defender Gotoku Sakai. –