Belgium, not normally a footballing power on the world stage, are being hailed in many corners as a dark horse team that can surprise in this year’s World Cup. That’s because the squad features multiple players who are playing and excelling in Europe’s top leagues. Will Belgium’s current crop fire them to heights of glory the nation has ever seen? Or will they be more of a hype than substance as with previous ‘golden generations’ of recent memory? Belgium certainly have the talent, but not much experience as the last time the nation played in the World Cup finals was 2002.
Pitted against South Korea, Russia, and Algeria in Group H, the Diables Rouges will be firm favourites to top the group.
Wilmots is the Red Devils’ all-time leading World Cup goalscorer, having featured in the 1994, 1998 and 2002. Now he is hoping to lead the squad to a deep run in the tournament. The former Schalke man had an undistinguished managerial career before being appointed boss of the national team, coaching Belgian club side Sint-Truiden briefly before being sacked after less than a year in charge. He was then an assistant manager for the national team for three years before being named to the top post. Like the team itself, Wilmots has promise but is short on experience.
Twenty-three year old attacking midfielder Eden Hazard is already a superstar, having led Lille to a shock Ligue 1 title before making a big money move to Chelsea, where he has become arguably their most important player. It was largely through his efforts that a striker-poor Chelsea side were near the top of the English Premier League table much of the season. Now he has more attacking talent to work with for his country with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Du Bruyne, Kevin Mirallas and others playing with him.
Perhaps lost a bit during Napoli’s spending spree last summer was the acquisition of winger Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven. Mertens seamlessly made the transition in the step up from the Eredivisie to Serie A, and was one of the Partenopei’s better players in the 2013/14 season. The Belgian scored eight goals in 30 appearances, many of those as a substitute, and netted two goals in cup competitions as well. Mertens can definitely excel as a super sub, and is a player who takes advantage of any lack of concentration from the opposition’s defenders.
Belgium have the personnel to make the semi-finals. It just depends how one values overall talent vs. experience. At the very least, the national team is expected to make the Round of 16, if not the quarter finals judging by the quality they possess.
Belgium are certainly the favorites in Group H which includes Russia, South Korea and Algeria. As stated, they are expected to at least make the Round of 16, and a quarterfinals appearance is probably where most peg their journey to end. This is because of the lack of experience, after all Belgium haven’t reached a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup.
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