Eden Hazard stated he was not over-worried by Belgium’s struggles of their opening Group F match in opposition to Canada, which they received 1-0, however he urged the group to play with out worry. AP
Doha: Eden Hazard admitted Saturday that Belgium’s greatest likelihood to win the World Cup had come and gone however stated they nonetheless have the standard and expertise to raise the trophy in Qatar.
Belgium, who completed third on the match in Russia in 2018, are nonetheless ranked second on this planet however most of the much-vaunted “Golden Technology” at the moment are of their 30s.
“To be honest I feel we had a greater likelihood to win 4 years go,” admitted 31-year-old Hazard.
“The group was higher 4 years in the past however nonetheless we’ve the standard to win video games and to win the competitors. We now have a number of guys, they’re a bit older now however we’ve expertise and the very best goalkeeper on this planet (Thibaut Courtois).
“We now have among the best midfields on this planet, proper now. We now have good strikers. We now have the group and I feel it’s simply the need 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 is going to be powerful.”
The Actual Madrid ahead stated he was not over-worried by Belgium’s struggles of their opening Group F match in opposition to Canada, which they received 1-0, however he urged the group to play with out worry.
No worry“The primary match you at all times have a little bit of worry, you don’t at all times need the ball,” he stated. “Now we have to recover from that. We have to not be afraid to dribble, to play the killer move. That’s 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 stated he was in a position to brush off criticism over his performances.
“There has at all times been criticism,” he stated. “Even once you play effectively you get criticised. I simply attempt to concentrate on taking part in the very best I can for my nation and I’ll give all the things I can.”
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was relaxed about his facet’s kind, highlighting the shortage of preparation time earlier than the match in Qatar.
“Slowly you’re going to see groups preparing after three video games within the match,” he stated.
“So moderately than having that preparation for a World Cup, for a significant match the place you may have three friendlies and you’ve got 4 weeks to get everyone within the optimum situation, the groups must prepare whereas they’re within the match and that’s harmful as a result of it might probably price you factors.”
Martinez gave an replace on the health of main striker Romelu Lukaku, who’s recovering from a thigh damage.
The Spaniard stated the ahead was not anticipated to be out there till the third group sport in opposition to Croatia, in keeping with earlier expectations.
“He’s forward of what he ought to be,” stated Martinez. “I don’t count on him to be concerned tomorrow until one thing goes extraordinarily effectively right this moment.”
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