Injuries could mar Belgium prospects

Hyderabad: Tournament dark horse Belgium were a tad under-par n the group stages. They had a relatively easy group to qualify from, while the USA, whom they meet in the pre-quarterfinals in Salvador on Wednesday, had to dig deep to qualify from a tough group trouncing Portugal and Ghana. The ensuing match does not promise to be an attacking affair. Instead, it will be a highly physical match, which could go down to the wire.

To their credit, the Belgians have conceded only one goal, that too from a penalty but they have not scored many either (4 goals) in group stages. Their attack looks out of sync, which is a concern. First choice striker Christian Benteke was injured before the opening game and the towering striker Romelu Lukaku was hardly impressive. The poster boy, Eden Hazard has not lived up to the expectations so far.

Solid Belgian defence with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Anthony Van Den Borre and Thomas Vermaelen is reeling with injury crisis. Kompany, who has a thigh injury, is racing against time to be fit.

Right back Anthony Van Den Borre and Laurent Ciman are out with cracked fibula and abductor strain. Vermaelen is nursing a hamstring injury and his participation in the match will be touch and go.

Toby Alderweireld, Daniel Van Buyten and Verthongen are the defenders, who appear fit for big one.

The injuries may influence coach Marc Wilmots to play midfielders in un-familiar defensive roles much to the advantage of USA. He has been spot on with his tactics, formations and substitutions. The Belgians shifted seamlessly between a defensive 4-2-3-1 to an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Holding back, avoiding errors and pouncing late have become the mantra and the team has scored goal in the 70th and 80th minutes largely by substitutes.

US coach Jurgen Klinsmann reaped benefits by switching formation from the traditional 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1. Winger DeAndre Yedlin and striker Clint Dempsey have been the star performers while the midfield of Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman and Michael Bradley looked solid. Bradley, who had a great season with Roma in the Italian League, has not been that influential and he looks a pale shadow of his former self. Their defence is shaky but they defend as a team with the midfielders chipping in with their share of defensive duties. Belgians might look to isolate the defence to create chances.

There is much at stake for both the teams. Belgium, which is playing a major international tournament after 12 years is looking to make a mark, with the ‘golden generation of footballers’, while USA is looking at a better performance to promote the sport back home.

Probable Line-ups: Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Verthongen, Daniel Van Buyten, Thomas Vermaelen, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini, Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku; United States: Tim Howard, Omar Gonzalez, Fabian Johnson, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Graham Zusi, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, DeAndre Yedlin and Clint Dempsey.