Belgium (Rode Duivels) in Brazil……..
They are coming into the competition as undefeated champions in their Fifa World Cup qualification group. With a 8-2-0 (W-D-L) record, Belgium topped their group with a comfortable 9 points difference between them and the closest contender, Croatia.
The have not won a major futbol tournament, yet. They have in recent times been absent from major international futbol competitions. Their last involvement in the Fifa World Cup was 12 years ago. And had it not been the advantage that comes with hosting a tournament, Belgium would have been on a run to be absent from the UEFA European Championship(Euro) for 28 years.
This will mark their 12th participation in the Fifa World Cup. Belgium is not a traditionally dominant team, but the emergence of so many young quality players on the Belgian side is giving the impression of a golden generation for the Belgians. They are the most star studded side in Group F, and the favorite to win the group.
The Venom
Romelu Lukaku
They are a strong team with physically dominating individuals in attack. Romelu Lukaku will be the target man for Belgium. Defenders will have to deal with his strength and pace. When he finds a goal, Lukaku gets into a rhythm of finding more. He is just 20 years of age, and has time to develop into an even better prolific striker.
Another player that will demand defenders attention will be Christian Benteke. Strength and pace, and maybe a little more agile compared to Lukaku. He is a traditional striker, whose game plan is to tactically plan his movements on the pitch around one thing, the opposition goal.
The Control and Support
The extra boost coming from the midfield will be what separates the Belgians entirely from their groupmates. The wings are hot.
Edin Hazard will be the player to intensify the offensive pressure. He is only programmed to go forward, and with his pace and technical abilities in the ball, he is sure to bring hell to opposing teams. He is known to cut in from the flanks and release a fet streamed shot on goal, usually a precise shot.
Edin Hazard
Replicating Hazard is Kevin De Bruyne. Another winger on hand to multiply the Belgian arsenal. He is a hardworking young player who will be set to add value to his name on the world stage. Other names in the mix to that will be solidifying the Belgian midfield are Dries Mertens, the big man Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele, Axel Witsel, and the newbie/potential superstar, Adnan Januzaj
The Bouncers
They allowed on 4 goals in from 10 games during their qualifiers.
Kompany
In the back line is the strong Vincent Kompany stop attacks and using his leadership traits to keep the back line intact. Kompany is the captain of the Belgian team, as we well as the recently rejuvenated Manchester City FC.
Another leader on the team will be the ‘old horse’ Daniel Van Buyten. Van Buyten is still available for Belgium, and it will be safe to say 2014 World Cup will be his last participation. As the veteran on the team, he will be as important off the field as he will be on it.
Other names in the backline will be Tottenham FC’s Jan Vertonghen, Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Nicolas Lombaerts and Arsenal FC’s Thomas Vermaelen.
So what is it for Belgium? How will they fare?
They have an aim to win a major futbol tournament. The team is strong and has the quality to challenge for the Fifa World Cup. But unfortunately, there are bigger dogs in the competition that have enough balance to make it a difficult task.
Getting out of Group H should be an easy one for the Belgians. They have the line-up that can keep their unbeaten run from their qualifiers.
The difficulty of their task get intensified after the preliminary round. In the Round of 16, they meet with a Group G side. Which ever team that survives Group G would be a team that has proven itself against high offensive teams. The Round of 16 might looks like the destination for Belgium.
But this is futbol, there will be some drama, suspense and surprises. And that is why we will have to be watching to see if Belgium will make their advantage count.
