|
Scouting
Report
Style of play: Belgium plays with a defensive-minded
4-4-2 formation, but often reverts to a 4-5-1 with one
of the strikers dropping back as a deep-lying forward
to provide more stability in midfield. The back line
operates as a flat-back four that moves in unison and
rarely saunters beyond the halfway line to join in the
attack. While one midfielder drops back as a sweeper,
the others are responsible for gaining real estate in
their opponent's end before sending the ball up to their
strikers. The deep-lying forward is not only the link
between midfield and the lone striker, but also moves
forward in attack.
Strengths:
Coaching -- Robert Waseige is a veteran coach
who fosters an excellent relationship with his players.
He gets the most out of his players and often inspires
them to play over their heads. To wit: Belgium beat
a superior Czech Republic team in a two-legged playoff
to advance to the World Cup.
Defence -- Belgium look very steady at the back
with sweeper Erik Van Meir leading the way. Eric Deflandre
is an excellent stopper and Nico Van Kerckhoven is solid
at left-back. Deflandre and Van Kerckhoven are also
adept at stripping strikers of possession and carrying
the ball out of danger.
Central midfield -- Veteran Marc Wilmots drives
Belgium's midfield, combining physical strength, strong
tackling ability and superb shooting skills. He is so
good he makes his teammates around him that much better,
and has drawn comparisons to the legendary Enzo Scifo.
Weaknesses:
Injuries -- Belgium have been devastated by a
series of crushing injuries that will force it to play
without several key starters. On the injured list are
star striker Emile Mpenza, midfielders Walter Baseggio
and Philippe Clement, defender Joos Valgaeren and forward
Bob Peeters.
Goal scoring -- With Mpenza and Peeters sidelined
with injuries, Belgium has no serious goal-scoring threat.
Wesley Sonck, unproven in international competition,
will have to carry the burden for Belgium by himself.
Goalkeeping -- Geert De Vlieger is Belgium's
only capable goalkeeper and even describing him as "capable"
is a bit of a stretch. He plays for lowly Willem II
in Holland's second division and is considered the weakest
starting goalkeeper at this year's tournament.
Key injuries/omissions: Belgium will have to
do without the services of several key starters. Striker
Emile Mpenza, midfielders Walter Baseggio and Philippe
Clement, defender Joos Valgaeren, and forward Bob Peeter
are all out of action with injuries. Meanwhile, striker
Wesley Sonck injured an ankle in a World Cup warm-up
match last week. His status is unclear at the moment….
Belgian coach Robert Waseige left Stefaan Tanghe, Michael
Gossens and Marc Hendrikx out of his World Cup plans…
Outlook: Belgium is not well-stocked with talented
strikers to begin with, which is why the loss of its
best striker, Emile Mpenza, is a crucial blow. Without
him Belgium have no serious, consistent scoring threat.
Mpenza's absence is just one in a long list of devastating
injuries that has left Belgian coach Robert Waseige
struggling to find 23 fit players. The pickings were
very slim, as Waseige had to select a team with seven
defenders and only three forwards. Goals will be hard
to come by, forcing Belgium to take chances, which will
leave the Belgians exposed defensively. A birth in the
second round is unlikely as Belgium might have its hands
full just besting Tunisia for third place in Group H.
The
Country
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North
Sea, between France and the Netherlands.
Capital: Brussels
Area: 30,510 sq km
Population:10,241,506 (July 2000 est.)
Government type: Federal parliamentary democracy
under a constitutional monarch.
Climate: Temperate; mild winters, cool summers;
rainy, humid, cloudy.
Ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed
or other 11%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or
other 25%.
Languages: Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%,
legally bilingual.
History: After gaining independence from the
Netherlands in 1830, Belgium was occupied by Germany
during both World Wars. It has since become an important
member of NATO and the EU, and has flourished for the
past 50 years as a modern, technologically advanced
European nation and diplomatic and commercial centre.
|
