Eden Hazard admitted Saturday that Belgium’s greatest probability to win the World Cup had come and gone however mentioned they nonetheless have the standard and expertise to elevate the trophy in Qatar. Belgium, who completed third on the event in Russia in 2018, are nonetheless ranked second on the earth however most of the much-vaunted “Golden Technology” are actually of their 30s. “To be truthful I feel we had a greater probability to win 4 years go,” admitted 31-year-old Hazard, talking on the eve of Sunday’s match in opposition to Morocco.
“The workforce was higher 4 years in the past however nonetheless we have now the standard to win video games and to win the competitors. We’ve got a number of guys, they’re a bit older now however we have now expertise and the very best goalkeeper on the earth (Thibaut Courtois).
“We’ve got the most effective midfields on the earth, proper now. We’ve got good strikers. We’ve got the workforce and I feel it is simply the will to wish to win, and the mentality.”
He added: “Belgium can win the World Cup if we’re in kind. If we aren’t it will likely be robust.”
The Actual Madrid ahead mentioned he was not over-worried by Belgium’s struggles of their opening Group F match in opposition to Canada, which they gained 1-0, however he urged the workforce to play with out worry.
No worry
“The primary match you all the time have a little bit of worry, you do not all the time need the ball,” he mentioned. “Now we have to recover from that. We have to not be afraid to dribble, to play the killer move. That is what was lacking within the first match.”
Hazard has struggled to repeat the shape he confirmed at Chelsea since he moved to Spain in 2019 however he mentioned he was capable of brush off criticism over his performances.
“There has all the time been criticism,” he mentioned. “Even once you play effectively you get criticised. I simply attempt to give attention to enjoying the very best I can for my nation and I will give all the things I can.”
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was relaxed about his aspect’s kind, highlighting the shortage of preparation time earlier than the event in Qatar. “Slowly you are going to see groups preparing after three video games within the event,” he mentioned.
“So moderately than having that preparation for a World Cup, for a serious event the place you’ve got three friendlies and you’ve got 4 weeks to get all people within the optimum situation, the groups must prepare whereas they’re within the event and that is harmful as a result of it will possibly price you factors.”
Martinez gave an replace on the health of main striker Romelu Lukaku, who’s recovering from a thigh damage. The Spaniard mentioned the ahead was not anticipated to be obtainable till the third group sport in opposition to Croatia, in step with earlier expectations.
“He is forward of what he needs to be,” mentioned Martinez. “I do not count on him to be concerned tomorrow except one thing goes extraordinarily effectively as we speak.”
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