A vibrant young Belgium side are preparing to launch their FIFA World Cup campaign against Algeria today in a Group H clash.
Seen as dark horses to lift the trophy, the richly talented squad is blessed with players such as Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, powerful striker Romelu Lukaku — also of the Blues — and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany.
Belgium have not appeared at a major international championships since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but impressed in qualifying and will fancy their chances of matching their semi-final showing in Mexico in 1986.
Photo: EPA
The sole survivor from their 2002 campaign is defender Daniel van Buyten, who said there were some feisty tackles flying in the team’s training sessions in the buildup to their match in Belo Horizonte.
“We usually train lightly before important matches so players hit their peak at the right time, but the duels on the training pitch have become more full-blooded,” he said.
Coach Marc Wilmots can also call on young Manchester United sensation Adnan Januzaj and his club teammate Marouane Fellaini, as well as Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, superb while on loan at Atletico Madrid last season.
Lukaku, who only returned to training on Wednesday last week after suffering an injury in a bruising friendly with Tunisia, will spearhead an attack missing injured Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke.
Belgium, also grouped with Russia and South Korea, are expected to qualify for the knockout rounds, but Manchester City captain Kompany urged caution over their chances of unseating soccer’s superpowers.
“I think it’s a still a bit too early to dream of the summit. For overall victory, it’s better waiting until [the] 2016 [World Cup] and the [UEFA] Euros in France,” he said.
Belgium face a side looking to cause an upset to go with their shock win over eventual finalists West Germany in 1982.
Despite that win, Algeria, taking part in their fourth World Cup, have never gone past the group stages.
However, Algeria assistant coach Nourredine Kourichi said his side would “try to trouble this Belgian team, we’re ready for it and we’ve done everything possible to prepare ourselves.”
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