Doha: Belgium’s defeat to Egypt in Friday’s World Cup warm-up worldwide was a wake-up name earlier than the match, mentioned coach Roberto Martinez.
The Belgians, second within the FIFA rankings and semifinalists on the final World Cup, seemed flat and off form as they have been overwhelmed 2-1 in Kuwait Metropolis by a Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt, who are usually not going to the World Cup.
“Mentally we weren’t prepared for this match. We weren’t good in possession, there was too little tempo, no offensive stability, we hardly ever acquired to the second ball,” Martinez mentioned as Belgium headed for his or her base at Salwa Seaside in Qatar to arrange for his or her opening Group F recreation towards Canada on Wednesday.
“Egypt have been merely higher than us. It was as if loads of our guys simply did not wish to get damage, when you noticed with Egypt that they completely wished to win this match.”
However the Belgian coach seemed to place a lid on any potential panic amongst supporters.
“This group has been collectively for six years, it isn’t that there’s instantly nothing left. That’s the reason we should always see this match primarily as a wake-up name. This match was additionally helpful in giving some gamers much-needed minutes. In that sense it was an actual observe match, one from which you’ll study loads.
“Now it is only a matter of getting everybody prepared. We will not count on to win on the World Cup if we aren’t at our greatest. Let that be the lesson.”
The World Cup is seen because the final probability for Belgium’s so-called golden technology to win a serious title. They have been high of the FIFA rankings for 4 successive years however since slipped to second behind Brazil.