The BBC recently predicted that Belgium would win the World Cup. One of the factors that prompted this argument was the efficiency of their defence. Presumably this was based on their record in the qualifiers: six goals conceded in 10 games. Over half of those games were against opposition such as Estonia, Cyprus and Gibraltar.… Read More »
Belgium face Cyprus tonight in their final World Cup qualifying match. With tickets for Russia guaranteed, all eyes will be on Jan Vertonghen – who will become the most-capped Belgian international (97 caps) – and on the number of goals that Belgium score. Belgium have scored 39 so far in these qualifying rounds, while the… Read More »
Belgium face Wales on Sunday and you’d expect an air of confidence about a team placed fourth in the FIFA rankings facing one in 34th position. But it’s not quite like that. Although Marc Wilmots’ men defeated Iceland 3-1 on Wednesday, both the coach and the performance were heavily criticised. Wilmots rested several players (most… Read More »
On May 13, Marc Wilmots will announce his ‘pre-selection’ of players who could go to Brazil. The final squad of 23 will be divulged to the public on June 2. Prior to the final group being announced, Belgium will play two friendlies, against Luxembourg and Sweden. After the announcement, Belgium will play Tunisia on June… Read More »
Belgium go into back-to-back matches with Macedonia and the country expects. The exploits of the 10 Belgians in the Premier League have not gone unnoticed – just the opposite in fact. The Saturday night football programmes tend to start with ‘Belgians abroad’ before turning to the domestic fare. The stadium will be packed on Tuesday… Read More »
It’s been a typical week in the world of Belgian football, both on and off the field. There’s been lots of talk about red cards and suspensions, one player who wants to be a ‘Red Devil’, another who seems a little unsure about his future and another who is seen as a saviour for his… Read More »
Marc Wilmots used 15 players in the games with Wales and Croatia. Here’s my view of how the players fared in the two matches. Thibaut Courtois: Hardly tested in the two matches; made important saves and interventions when necessary. He’s there to stay. Guillaume Gillet: Superbly taken goal against Croatia but he’s not a full… Read More »
After two matches, Belgium are level on points with Croatia and Serbia at the top of the World Cup qualifying group. They had hoped for two victories – Wales in Cardiff, Croatia in Brussels – but it was not to be. A defensive error against Croatia, one that was almost repeated later in the game,… Read More »
Tonight Belgium play their most important game since they reached the World Cup finals in 2002. With one of the most valuable squads in world football and their players seemingly dominating the ubiquitous Premier League, it’s time for Belgium to show that they can become a leading football nation. Belgium have not qualified for a… Read More »
There are several reports today that both Aston Villa and Fulham are bidding for Racing Genk striker Christian Benteke. A figure of €7.5 million has been mentioned. This might be small change for a Premier League club but it’s a significant amount of money for a Belgian club. Racing Genk have an annual budget of… Read More »