The order and enthusiasm of Japan is the new challenge of Belgium,
the top scorer of the competition that supports the maturity of one of the best
generations of its history, in search of a sound success in a great
competition.
The team led by Spanish Roberto Martinez aims to put aside
the disappointment that has accompanied him in his recent performances. The
Belgian team boasts an enviable group of footballers who share their quality
with the most reputable clubs in the Old Continent.
Still, Belgium
balks a handful of mishaps. In Brazil 2014 he was not able to cross the
quarterfinals beaten by Argentina. On the same frontier he stagnated at the
2016 European Championship, when he was overtaken by Wales.
The opportunities are reduced for this offspring of players,
who cling to Football World Cup Russia
2018 as their great occasion. He reached the qualifiers encouraged by his
impeccable role in the group stage, where he won everything, with Romelu Lukaku
as one of the great revelations of his attack.
The presence of the Manchester United striker will be the
main novelty of Roberto MartÃnez's team. Lukaku was injured in the second
match, against Tunisia. It was reserved against England. But it is already in
conditions to face the challenge of Japan.
Japan appeals to motivation. To the appointment with the
history and the discipline of his men. Classified thanks to his few players
cautioned by the criterion of fair play, questioned by the attitude of the
Japanese team against Poland, before which he signed a minimal defeat, he
clings to the intangibles.
The coach Akira Nishino advocates the spirit, concentration,
intensity or enthusiasm. Also to the story. The blue samurai can extend their
legend in a World Cup. They have never crossed the round of 16 that they had
only achieved twice before. In Korea and Japan 2002, as host, and South Africa
2010. But never entered the quarter.
