Gorando Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 That's a candidate for the slowest back 4 in the tournament Van Buyten was the fastest Belgium player according to fifa. top speed of 30.8 km/h Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 He was also in FIFAs figures of top group stage performers this WC... for defenders only Thiago Silva was above him.. go figure.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorando Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Considering Belgium hasnt conceded a goal from open play and gave away the least shots on goal its not that crazy Van Buyten is named one of the best defenders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 On paper yeah, but come on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Not just on paper, have you seen him do anything wrong so far? Van Buyten is a solid defender, so in a moment of great form I don't see why he couldn't be among the best defenders at this world cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlyons Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 They may not have allowed a goal in open play, but I think it's fair to say Vertonghen has been beaten. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baptista_8 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Belgium have definitely been the strongest team in the World Cup on the boredom scale, may have scaled new heights. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 even Greece was exciting to watch yesterday, albeit after trailing and being 11 vs 10 against Costa Rica but still ... with the wide players they had and the two up front they looked quite ok even Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Real Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Belgium have definitely been the strongest team in the World Cup on the boredom scale, may have scaled new heights. I'm not gonna deny we've been (one of) the most boring team(s) on the WC, but scaling new heights... then you're just exaggerating. Also bare in mind our 3 opponents: Algeria had no other intentions against us than parking the bus, Russia was along with us one of the slowest playing teams of the tournament, while against South Korea we had to play the majority of the game with 10 players. I reckon against stronger opponents we might've gathered less points, but we would've played more attractive football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 sad thing is we'd play this way against any team it seems. In qualification for example I do remember the tough 1-0 wins over Macedonia for example. Seems we have difficulties unlocking defenses. And in Serbia for example we were suffering as well, and scored on the break. Let's face it: despite our talented players we're (still) a counter attack strategy playing country. We did get our best results that way, but I do feel we can do better playing our trump cards better, trump cards we didn't have before, in attacking midfield. Now with a great player up front to connect with, a player in form, who knows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 People keep talking down the opponents in our group & saying we underperformed. We didn't play sparkling football sure, but look at Germany Algeria from yesterday fgs. We didn't even give away chances against them, whereas Germany had real problems. Bring on the muricans! will be a more open game I reckon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 we didn't underperform as such, we "underplayed" and could've made things easier for ourselves by playing more attacking, quickly, passing the ball around better, letting the ball do the work, playing one touch etc. Result-wise it was great. Obviously if results are great we need something else to be picky on as well. As for Germany, well, maybe they had difficulties cause their team is hyped and not as good as people think it is? Think about it, who's in the team and on the bench. Especially in defense they're having injury worries and up front they have Müller as striker and Klose as backup. They're suffering a bit like us that way actually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason the Yank Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Seen that like a dozen times now, so unimaginative.. The only thing the muricans can come up with concerning Belgium is waffles? We'll see how that breakfast agrees with your stomachs tomorrow boys Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Don't show the Yanks that they'll scramble a few fighter jets over Antwerp before you can say Poirot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Surely they wouldn't? We have no oil or other natural resources they could steal? Unless they think that highly of our waffles, ofcourse.. ? ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason the Yank Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Rumours from the camp: Kompany and Origi in starting line-up! Fantastic news if true. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 That would be great indeed. Kompany always makes a vast difference Wonder how Lukaku will feel if Origi starts.. but it's the only logical decision me thinks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I have no doubt it's true. Comes from Ruben Van Gucht who is always there during training, he also said Mirallas would start upfront against South Korea a couple of hours before the match. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicardoW Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Hoping for Belgium to pick up form. I desperately want a Holland-Belgium semi. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Do you really? The last time you beat us was in 98, when you had one of your strongest teams ever. That semi only has one outcome... humiliation for Oranje. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Real Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm fairly sure we drew Holland 0-0 in 98... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 No we lost in the WC qualifiers, twice I think and pretty badly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Most memorable Belgium Holland for me is the one from 2012 where Mertens came off the bench to score & give two assists Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 lost at home 0-3 or something to that effect in the qualifying, long ball from Stam as assist for the first goal. Strategy was to let him do the buildup from behind, give him the room for that, and then he gave the assist ... oh the irony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Jeroen Thijssen Posted July 1, 2014 SI Staff Share Posted July 1, 2014 Definitely want USA to win after experiencing Graspop. So many Belgians who were sore and adamantly supporting Mexico. They didnt consider Holland vs Belgium as a nice card either. So uhm... America? **** yeah! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason the Yank Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Congrats, chocolatiers. The better side won today. Go beat the Argies and claim the Malvinas for yourselves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Get in there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I take back everything I ever said about Lukaku #hero Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorando Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Our finishing was embarrassing imo. We went from being efficient to wasteful overnight. It reminded me of Belgium-Scotland in the qualifiers. If we play bad we are efficient, if we're good we're wasteful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 But on either occasion, we win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 If we manage to combine our usual efficiency with last night's dominance, we can win this whole tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Strangely I'm actually confident we'll beat Argentina saturday Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 If they didn't have Messi I'd agree. We are a better team, apart from that little man who can decide it all on his own. Di Maria, even though he's been poor this tournament, could also have one of his moments where he dribbles past everyone and puts it on a plate for someone to tap it in. At this moment I consider it a 50/50 match. If we play as good as we did last night though, which is the best I've ever seen from us actually, we can surely beat them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 our wingers will have to track back that's for sure, their widemen against our fullbacks could cause problems but i'm sure we can cause them trouble as well.. Could go either way really, but I'm still in the buzz from yesterday Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicardoW Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Do you really? The last time you beat us was in 98, when you had one of your strongest teams ever.That semi only has one outcome... humiliation for Oranje. I really want to play Belgium, yes. I'm pretty sure we go out in semi's whatever the opposition, and Belgium is my second favourite team. Humiliation though? I thought Belgium was pretty exposed at the back yesterday. You haven't had real opposition this whole tournament as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Argentina barely getting past Iran & needing extra time against Switserland.. I'd say it's not impossible to beat them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Cartman Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 No need to worry about Messi, he's got it covered Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhawk Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Congrats, chocolatiers. The better side won today.Go beat the Argies and claim the Malvinas for yourselves. *grumbles something about Jurgen van den Broeck not being able to podium* Yes, yes, congrats Belgium. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Howard was great Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 No need to worry about Messi, he's got it covered My favourite moment of Kompany having it covered was when Messi won a penalty because of how easily he exploited his poor positioning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 We could be the next n°1 on the fifa ranking if we win saturday (and other results are favorable) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
titto Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorando Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Great pic The Belgian team are in such a great position now. Have nothing to lose, nothing to prove and still are good enough to be with the favorites. Keep playing like yesterday and they have to fear no one. Well done after such a long time away from the tournament. As a non-Belgian, I can only fear for the coming Euros and WCs, this team should be getting even better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Best part about this team is that yeah, in 2 and 4 years time, we could (should?) be even better. Last night we were unbelievably good. A match that means our world cup has been a succes no matter whether we win or lose against Argentina. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man11 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Especially if you should have Benteke for future tournaments. Pretty much combines the ball control/technique of Origi with the penalty area ability of Lukaku. Think he's been a big miss for you guys this tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Yeah we do miss him I think. But Origi is only just starting his career. From what I've seen of him he's far more talented than Benteke. He's already playing like a veteran striker, only thing lacking against the US was finishing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlyons Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Origi's only two years younger than Lukaku. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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