Belgium Vs. Canada Preview – Canada search for first ever World Cup goal
Belgium and Canada face off tomorrow evening to wrap up matchday one in Group F.
The two sides have never faced each other in any capacity before.
Belgium
The Red Devils finished third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and will be looking to start their 2022 campaign with a win against the North American side.
It hasn’t been the most convincing buildup for the Belgians as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in a warmup friendly Friday night.
They will be looking to talisman Kevin De Bruyne and a now injury-free Eden Hazard to provide the spark they need to get the three points.
Striker Romelu Lukaku will miss the first two games in Qatar due to a hamstring strain.
Michy Batshuayi will likely be called upon to produce the goals up top.
Manager Roberto Martinez has faced criticism from some for sticking to his senior stalwarts.
With an average age of 29, Belgium have the joint eldest team in the tournament.
However, the Spaniard has doubled down on his policy.
Last week he said:
“When you’re experienced and have more than 100 caps, it’s simply a question of managing their fitness levels. At this point, you’re not worrying about how players such as Romelu or Eden can impact the national team because we know what influence they can have. I don’t worry about them. Are they still two of the best players in world football? I’m biased.”
Canada
The Canadians won their warmup friendly on Friday 2-1 against Japan, thanks to a last-minute penalty.
Les Rouges’ starman Alphonso Davies declared himself ready to start recovering from a knock he picked up on November 5th playing for Bayern Munich.
The fullback missed most of Canada’s qualifying campaign as they defied expectations to top the final group of CONCACAF qualifying – ahead of the United States and Mexico – and earn an automatic qualifying place at Qatar 2022.
Their English-born coach John Herdman won back-to-back Olympic Bronze medals in 2012 and 2016, coaching the Canada Women’s National Team.
“I think, internally, Canada is starting to expect things from us.” He said.
“If you go to France, Germany, Italy, England, Brazil, Argentina they’ll ask ‘who’s Canada?’ But I think internally, as a country, we’ve started to believe things are possible, and it’s just the same mentality – one game at a time.”
It is the North American side’s first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Beginning against the second-best team in the world, according to the FIFA rankings, could be a baptism of fire for them.
With 2018 runners-up Croatia also in Group F, they may find it tough to spring a surprise and reach the knockout stages.
Verdict
Referee Janny Sikazwe will take charge of the game.
The Zambian famously twice called for full-time incorrectly in an African Cup of Nations game between Mali and Tunisia.
Will Belgium be able to get off to a strong start?
Or can Canada blow the group wide open?
All eyes will be on the Ahmed bin Ali stadium at 7 pm tomorrow.
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