Belgium World Cup Team Blog » World Cup

The Search For A New Head Coach

julien — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:48:29 +0000

On April 7th, the Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB/URBSF) dismissed René Vandereycken from his position of head coach for the Rode Duivels. He was largely fired for Belgium’s match results under Vandereycken. Certainly, qualifying for the next World Cup is a high priority for the Belgian FA. Belgium currently sits 4th out of 6th in Group 5 of the European qualifying zone. Spain and Bosnia-Herzegovina (whom played a good match against Belgium) sit atop the group. Belgium’s last World Cup appearance was in 2002 where the Rode Duivels got as far as Round 2. Supposedly, there are over 20 potential candidates to replace René Vandereycken’s post. The list includes such notable managers as Dick Advocaat and Eric Gerets, but also Michel Preud’homme, Jean-Pierre Papin, Jean-François De Sart, Marc Wilmots, Hugo Broos, Laszlo Boloni, and Louis van Gaal. Thus far Gerets and Preud’homme have turned down the position. I’m hoping Dick Advocaat will accept the position. The FC Zenit St. Petersburg manager would be a great addition to the Rode Duivels, bringing experience and hopefully momentum in the World Cup qualifying stage. Things look bleak now, but perhaps a manager like Dick Advocaat can turn things around and potentially clinch a spot in South Africa next year. He recently took time out of his day to meet with the Belgian FA at a restaurant where he discussed the opportunity. Advocaat, has reportedly announced that he could see himself managing Belgium and expressed his desire to do so. In the past, he has coached South Korea, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.

Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

julien — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:53:06 +0000

At the end of this month the Rode Duivels will play a World Cup 2010 Qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The match will played in Genk, Belgium and kickoff is at 20:45 on Saturday, March 28th. So the encounter is several weeks away. Our opponents lie fourth in European Group 5 with six points (just one behind us). They easily beat Estonia (7-0) and Armenia (4-1) in their previous matches but narrowly lost to Spain and Turkey. Performance-wise they have performed about as well as we have. Both national teams are also fairly close in the FIFA rankings (Belgium 53, Bosnia-Herzegovina 59). It might be a pretty competitive qualifying match. I think our squad is better than Bosnia-Herzegovina and that Belgium can look for a victory. It won’t be easy and the final score could be close, however, by a narrow margin. I’m predicting 2-1 Belgium.

Looking Ahead: 2009 In Belgian Football

julien — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:38:20 +0000

The Rode Duivels finished 2008 with a draw in an international friendly against Luxembourg. It was a very disappointing, frustrating, and angering (understatement) result. Prior to that fiasco, Belgium was having a nice journey in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Belgium tied Turkey 1-1 and just lost by one goal against Spain with a score of 1-2. Belgium is third in Group 5 with 7 points, just one behind Turkey. On March 3, 2009, Belgium will face Bosnia-Herzegovina for the Rode Duivels’ 5th match of the group stage qualifying. Before that match, the Belgians will play a friendly against Slovenia at home. After that match the schedule for next year, thus far, has more 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches including matches against Spain, Estonia, and Turkey. Belgium needs to get the better of Turkey, when they meet each other again, to help our chances for a spot in South Africa two years from now. Regarding our FIFA ranking, it slipped again in the November 8th rankings four spots to 55. I would like to see several things next year for the Rode Duivels: a better FIFA ranking, clinching a spot in the WC 2010, and a new coach. René Vandereycken has been the coach for 3 years now. Our draw against Luxembourg only reinforces my view that it is time for him to go.

Spain Narrowly Defeats Belgium In WC 2010 Qualifier

julien — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:08:26 +0000

Last Wednesday, Belgium faced Euro 2008 winners and world #1 Spain. It was a FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying match. The match was played at home at Stade Roi Baudouin/Koning Boudewijnstadion (King Baudouin Stadium) in Brussels, Belgium. Going into a match against such a formidable opponent isn’t easy. Anxiety and stress must have been on our players’ minds. On the otherhand, Belgium didn’t have much to lose as they were the quintessential underdogs. Surprisingly, it was the Rode Duivels’ best match under René Vandereycken thus far. Belgium hung tough against the European powerhouse. Wesley Sonck, who has lately been on fire scoring wise, opened the score in just the 7th minute of play. Just a few minutes later (around the 10th minute) Fernando Torres limped off of the pitch. It was a costly loss for Spain, but his substitution led to their eventual equalizing goal. Torres’ substitution, Cesc Fabregas, intercepted a Belgian pass and fed the ball to Andres Iniesta leveling the score at 1-1 in the 36′. Everton’s Marouane Fellaini played well again for Belgium. The promising Belgian had numerous occasions to score. The Rode Duivels continued their strong momentum in the second period with Fellaini opening the half with a scoring chance that was waved off-side. As time wore on, Belgium withdrew on the attack allowing Spain to seek another goal. David Villa scored a devastating (for Belgium) late goal in the 88′ sealing a Spanish victory. Final score Belgium 1-2 Spain.

Line-ups
* 1 Stijn STIJNEN (GK)
* 3 Timmy SIMONS (C) Yellow Card
* 4 Vincent KOMPANY
* 5 Daniel VAN BUYTEN Out (-46′)
* 8 Steven DEFOUR Out (-73′)
* 9 Axel WITSEL
* 10 Wesley SONCK Goal
* 14 Thomas VERMAELEN
* 15 Jan VERTONGHEN Yellow Card
* 16 Anthony VANDEN BORRE Out (-87′)
* 17 Marouane FELLAINI
Substitute(s)
* 2 Filip DAEMS In (+46′)
* 6 Guillaume GILLET In (+87′)
* 7 Jelle VAN DAMME In (+73′)
* 11 Stein HUYSEGEMS
* 12 Silvio PROTO
* 13 Stijn DE SMET
* 18 Moussa DEMBELE

* (GK)(C) Iker CASILLAS 1
* JUANITO 4
* Yellow Card Carles PUYOL 5
* (-84′) Out Yellow Card Goal ANDRES INIESTA 6
* Goal Yellow Card David VILLA 7
* XAVI HERNANDEZ 8
* (-16′) Out Fernando TORRES 9
* Juan CAPDEVILA 11
* SERGIO RAMOS 15
* MARCOS SENNA 16
* (-64′) Out SANTI CAZORLA 18
Substitute(s)
* Raul ALBIOL 2
* Fernando NAVARRO 3
* Yellow Card (+16′) In Cesc FABREGAS 10
* Pepe REINA 12
* Alvaro ARBELOA 13
* (+64′) In XABI ALONSO 14
* (+84′) In DANIEL GUIZA 17

Belgium Beats Armenia In World Cup Qualifier

julien — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:50:33 +0000

Belgium played their third World Cup 2010 qualifying match yesterday. The UEFA Group 5 match was played at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels, Belgium. Our Rode Duivels soundly defeated Armenia 2-0 thanks to goals from Sonck (22′) and Everton’s Fellaini (38′). In the first period, the Belgians had trouble maintaining their rhythm against the Armenians. Van Damme and Witsel helped set up Wesley Sonck’s goal that opened the scoring. Marouane Fellaini then secured the match for us early on in the 38th minute. Belgium took their foot off the gas pedal in the second period. Nevertheless, Armenia failed to really create dangerous opportunities on Stijn Stijnen’s goal. We had half-chances here and there in the 2nd period. It was a match that Belgium was largely expected to win. This victory helps relax the team for our upcoming match against Spain where Rode Duivels are playing against vastly different opponents. Spanish football is leaps and bounds ahead of Armenia. It won’t be easy. The WC 2010 match against Spain is set for this Wednesday leaving a slight respite for our players.

Match Details:
BELGIUM 2-0 ARMENIA (Sonck 22′, Fellaini 38′)
STADE ROI BAUDOUIN
OCTOBER 11, 2008

Line-ups
BELGIUM
* 1 Stijn STIJNEN (GK)
* 3 Timmy SIMONS (C)
* 4 Vincent KOMPANY
* 6 Guillaume GILLET
* 7 Jelle VAN DAMME
* 8 Steven DEFOUR Out (-73′)
* 9 Axel WITSEL
* 10 Wesley SONCK Goal Out (-88′)
* 15 Jan VERTONGHEN
* 17 Marouane FELLAINI Goal
* 18 Moussa DEMBELE

ARMENIA
* (GK) Roman BEREZOVSKI 1
* (C) Sargis HOVSEPYAN 4
* Robert ARZUMANYAN 5
* Ararat ARAKELYAN 6
* Artur VOSKANYAN 8
* (-81′) Out Robert ZEBELYAN 10
* (-87′) Out Arman KARAMYAN 11
* (-64′) Out Yellow Card Karen ALEKSANYAN 15
* Levon PACHAYAN 16
* Aghvan MKRTCHYAN 17
* Yellow Card Alexander TATEOSIAN 18

Substitute(s)

* 2 Filip DAEMS
* 5 Daniel VAN BUYTEN
* 11 Stein HUYSEGEMS In (+73′)
* 12 Silvio PROTO
* 13 Tom DE SUTTER In (+88′)
* 14 Mark DE MAN
* 16 Anthony VANDEN BORRE

* Hrajr MKOYAN 2
* Artur YEDIGARYAN 3
* (+64′) In Ara HAKOBYAN 7
* (+87′) In Henrikh MKHITARYAN 9
* Gevorg KASPAROV 12
* Vahagn MINASYAN 13
* (+81′) In Samvel MELKONYAN 14

Cards

(32′) Alexander TATEOSIAN 18 Yellow Card

(58′) Karen ALEKSANYAN 15 Yellow Card

International Match Fixing Scandal

julien — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:46:58 +0000

UEFA recently opened an investigation into 26 international matches that may have been fixed. One of the matches on that list was the Belgium/Poland World Cup 2006 qualifying match. That match was held November 15, 2006 at Stade Roi Baudouin. Belgium lost that match 0-1. Bee Wah Lim, Chinese bettor, is supposedly connected with the affair. He was recently arrested for attempting to fix several 2nd Division Bundesliga and Austrian football league matches. Polish defender, Jacek Bak confirmed that he was contacted to give the match away to Belgium.

Kevin Mirallas Will Miss Armenia and Spain Matches

julien — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:51:38 +0000

AS Saint-Étienne and Belgium international, Kevin Mirallas, will miss two of Belgium’s upcoming World Cup 2010 qualifying matches. On October 11th Belgium plays against Armenia. Then four days later the Rode Duivels battle football powerhouse, Spain, home at the King Baudouin Stadium. Mirallas has a thigh injury. Scans revealed a tear in that area. He will not return to practice until mid October. Belgium hopes to build on the draw against Turkey several weeks ago. We should easily get three points against Armenia. Spain on the other hand won’t be easy. The Belgians might have their hands full with that match. Spain won the Euro 2008 this year after beating a formidable German squad. Their trip to the final wasn’t easy. They are currently ranked #1 in the world. I predict a score of Belgium 0-2 Spain. I’m realistic, but maybe we can get at least a goal out of this one. Honestly, the best thing that the players can play for is losing respectfully. We just don’t have the talent and depth that Spain has. Plus, René Vandereycken’s coaching ability is questionable. I don’t think he really is the man for the job. With all of that being said, I still am pulling for Belgium to give Spain some trouble in the weeks ahead.

Belgium Kicks Off WC 2010 Qualifying With A Win

julien — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:23:13 +0000

Belgium played their first World Cup 2010 qualifying match yesterday. They played against Estonia in Liege at Sclessin Stadium. The Rode Duivels were without Tchité (didn’t qualify) and Dembele (injury). We opened the match offensively with several chances. In the first half, Stijnen only had to make two saves. Eventually, we scored the first goal thanks to Wesley Sonck. Sergei Zenjov evened the score in the 57th minute. Our defense poorly marked Zenjov and Stijnen conceded the goal. Steven Defour scored another goal for Belgium after Sonck and Mirallas had scoring opportunities. The last goals of the match were scored by Sonck (80′, and 2nd goal of the match) and Oper (which brought some consolation to Estonia). Final score: Belgium 3-2 Estonia. Narrow victory for Belgium, but we can build off of the result. Match facts:
Line-ups:
Belgium
* Stijn STIJNEN (GK)
* Axel WITSEL
* Daniel VAN BUYTEN
* Jan VERTONGHEN
* Kevin MIRALLAS Out (-76′)
* Marouane FELLAINI
* Steven DEFOUR Goal
* Thomas VERMAELEN Out (-70′)
* Timmy SIMONS
* Vincent KOMPANY
* Wesley SONCK Out (-92′)
Subs
* Filip DAEMS
* Gaby MUDINGAYI
* Gill SWERTS
* Jelle VAN DAMME In (+70′)
* Olivier RENARD
* Stein HUYSEGEMS In (+92′)
* Tom DE SUTTER In (+76′)

Estonia
* (GK) Pavel LONDAK
* Aleksandr DMITRIJEV
* Alo BARENGRUB
* Andres OPER
* Dmitri KRUGLOV
* Enar JAAGER
* Joel LINDPERE
* Ragnar KLAVAN
* (-43′) Out Raio PIIROJA
* (-60′) Out Sergei ZENJOV
* (-78′) Out Tarmo KINK
Subs
* (+43′) In Andrei STEPANOV
* Artur KOTENKO
* Kaimar SAAG
* Konstantin VASSILJEV
* (+60′) In Martin VUNK
* Yellow Card (+78′) In Sander PURI
* Tihhon SISOV

Goals:
Belgium
* Wesley SONCK (40′, 80′)
* Steven DEFOUR (75′)

Estonia
* Sergei ZENJOV (57′)
* Andres OPER (93′)

Our next WC 2010 qualifier is against Turkey this Wednesday. That should be a tough one. The Turks are ranked #10 in the world and they had a great Euro 2008. My prediction: 2-1 Turkey.

Former FIFA President João Havelange: “1966 & 1974 World Cups Were Fixed”

julien — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:55:47 +0000

According to Goal.com and numerous other sources, former FIFA President João Havelange claims that the 1966 and 1974 FIFA World Cups were fixed so that England and Germany would win. João Havelange was FIFA President from 1974-1998. His comments:

“In the three matches that the Brazilian national team played in 1966, of the three referees and six linesmen, seven were British and two were Germans,” Havelange told Folha de Sao Paulo.

Brazil went out, Pele ‘exited’ through injury [following some rough defensive play], and England and Germany entered into the final, just as the Englishman Sir Stanley Rous, who was the President of FIFA at the time, had wanted.

In Germany in 1974 the same thing happened. During the Brazil-Holland match, the referee was German, we lost 2-0 and Germany won the title,” said Havelange.

“We were the best in the world, and had the same team that had won the World Cup in 1962 in Chile and 1970 in Mexico, but it was planned for the host countries to win.”

There have been accusations of match fixing for host nations in the past. More recently we can look at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Poor officiating and blatant bias secured South Korea’s win over Italy. So what do you guys think? Were they fixed?

De Bleeckere (Better Than Fandel!) Will Referee Russia/Spain Euro Semi-Final

julien — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:38:38 +0000

Belgium referee Frank De Bleeckere was picked today to referee the second Euro 2008 Semi-final match Russia vs. Spain. The match will be played this thursday at Ernst Happel Stadium in Wien. The kickoff time is 20:45 H. Frank De Bleeckere has already reffed two other Euro 2008 matches: Croatia vs. Germany and Russia vs. Sweden. Throughout this tournament he has done a good job officiating matches. He shows non-partiality (unlike some referees such as Fandel) and makes good calls. Few disagreed with the red card that he showed Schweinsteiger. De Bleeckere will be accompanied by his two assistants Peter Hermans and Alex Verstraeten. Referee profile:
Nationality: Belgium.
Birth Date: Jul 1, 1966.
Birth Place: Oudenaarde, Belgium.
Height: 182 cm.
Weight: 70 kg.
Referee since 1984.
Referee of the year (Belgian Jupiler League) in 200, 2001, 2002, 2003.
FIFA Badge: 1998.
Occupation: Public Relations Manager.
Languages: English, Flemish, French, German.
Tournaments:
1998 European Under-16 Championship
2001 Meridian Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
2003 FIFA Under-20 World Cup
UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
Euro 2004
2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup 2006
UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
UEFA Euro 2008
UEFA Champions League
Notable Match: FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifier Turkey vs. Switzerland.
Interests: Movies, music.

Glad to see that Spain won’t get bad calls again like yesterday’s match against Italy. I hate when a referee negatively impacts matches. The ref’s favoritism was absolutely ridiculous such as the numerous times he stopped Spain’s attack when an Italian feigned an injury. Some quotes about Fandel’s poor officiating: “With Herbert Fandel, a German piano player as a referee who seemed so intent on blowing his whistle that he seldom allowed a flow to the play, we were clearly in for a long night of patience” (iht.com), “Fandel was awful tonight. I won’t say that he made mistakes – rather, he seemed to be either completely aloof of various calls or too harsh on others. Ironically enough, it appeared that he was blatantly favoring the Italians. I remember watching the Spain – N. Ireland qualifier, and much like in this match, he denied the Spaniards a clear penalty. That being said, whether or not the Italians had his ear, their strategy to allow him to call the match their way did not have the desired effect. Without a doubt this will be Fandel’s last match of the tournament, and it couldn’t be soon enough. He could very well have swung the outcome tonight. Poor performance” (RateTheRef.net). Lucky for the Spaniards they somehow pulled a win from the penalty kicks.