Due to the draw between Croatia and Morocco and the victory of the Belgians against Canada, the Red Devils can be sure of a place in the 1/8th finals of the World Cup next Sunday.
Their opponent in it comes from group E, where Japan surprised Germany and Spain lashed out against Costa Rica.
AA Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck hopes for a rematch with Japan, who were sent home by the Belgians after a crazy match. “We will continue against Japan, I am convinced of that. This Japan is not the strongest Japan in recent years.”
“They really stunted against Germany. I thought the Germans could really win if they had handled it a bit better after the break.”
“Japan had a very strange way of defending in a very small space. The Germans did not realize that they had to operate the flanks to only get in front of the goal. Only Musiala was hit once, which is almost impossible.”
“If the Japanese do this against the Belgians, I hope that we will soon realize how we can hurt them.”
Spain was also reviewed in Villa Sporza. Frank Boeckx was impressed by La Roja. “It was impressive how they found the midfielders against Costa Rica, the Belgians can learn something from that. The ball pace was also very high.”
Arnar Vidarsson adds. “They gave 600 passes in the first half and that is normal for a good team for an entire match. Those young guys also play football with so much ease. I also like that they can adapt tactically to the opponent.”
Hein Vanhaezebrouck is also full of praise. “I am happy that Luis Enrique is an absolute top coach at the World Cup. You can count them on one hand. Logical too, because most top coaches work for the European top clubs. That is the only thing missing at a World Cup. I.”
Source: Sporza
