DOHA — Belgium are not
in “crisis mode” ahead of their crucial
World Cup match against Croatia despite
rumors of infighting and division in the squad, full-back Timothy Castagne said
on Wednesday.
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The world’s
second-ranked side have to win at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday to be
sure of reaching the last 16 after a surprising 2–0 loss to Morocco.
Belgium have
reached at least the quarter-finals at each of the past four major tournaments
but have struggled in Qatar, labouring to a 1–0 win over Canada in their
opener.
However,
Leicester defender Castagne said spirits in the camp were high.
“Our confidence
isn’t as low as people think,” he said. “We know that we have our destiny in
our own hands. It’s true we didn’t play so well in the first two matches but
we’re not in crisis mode like some people are saying in the press.”
Belgium will have
to push for the win as a draw would leave them needing Morocco to lose heavily
to Canada in order for the Belgians to go through.
Morocco, like
Croatia, can secure their place in the knockout phase by avoiding defeat.
Kevin De Bruyne
said before the Morocco game that Belgium were “too old” to win the tournament,
a comment Jan Vertonghen appeared to refer to in an angry post-match interview.
Seven of
Belgium’s starting XI against
Morocco are in their 30s, while 10 of the 14
players who featured in the 2018 semi-final loss to eventual winners France are
still in the squad.
Players held
clear-the-air talks for over an hour after the defeat by the north African
team.
“I don’t think
Kevin meant anything bad by what he said and we know Italy won the Euros with
(Leonardo) Bonucci and (Giorgio) Chiellini at the back, so age isn’t always a
factor,” said Castagne.
“I don’t think we
should be targeting one or two players who have not been playing to the best of
their ability. We’re all in this together ... I don’t think age is a key factor
and I don’t think we played badly because Kevin said that.”
‘Fake news’
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had already hit out at “invented stories”
about the Belgian players and coach
Roberto Martinez criticized “fake news” on Wednesday.
“Some people are
quite happy to jump on fake news, which is quite astonishing,” said the
Spaniard.
“It shows you
that maybe there is more desire to find negative news about the team rather
than enjoy the best generation of talent that we’ve ever had in Belgian
football.
“Whoever’s come
up with it (the rumors of an altercation) has scored a great goal, an own goal
for Belgium. ... Whoever’s done it, is genius.”
Martinez defended
his players, who have given Belgium an unprecedented period of success.
Six members of
the current squad have won 100 caps or more, with Courtois set to join that
club on Thursday.
“This generation
is the golden generation of Belgian football, there is no doubt,” said
Martinez.
“They got a
bronze medal at the 2018 World Cup and kept the national team at the top of the
world rankings for four years. ... Leaving a legacy goes a lot further than
winning a tournament.”
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