Waseige - teamwork the key (Allsport).
WASEIGE: TEAMWORK THE KEY
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Belgium coach Robert Waseige believes teamwork
will be the key to his side's prospects of a successful start to their FIFA
World Cup campaign against co-hosts Japan.
The Red Devils can expect to walk into a wall of noise when they take the
field at the Saitama Stadium for their Group H opener against Philippe
Troussier's side and Waseige admitted that: "More than ever it's teamwork that
counts."
The Belgians are expected to adopt a conservative approach in the first match
of their 11th World Cup finals campaign.
Waseige said he would field a "flexible 4-4-2" lineup, which could mean a
role for Marc Wilmots behind the lone striker, Gert Verheyen.
Belgium's record cap-holder, whose painful left knee has caused him to sit out
training sessions in the past few days.
There are more serious doubts about the fitness of left back Nico van
Kerckhoven and central defender Glen de Boeck.
Van Kerckhoven hurt his left leg in training on Sunday while De Boeck injured
his right ankle on Friday, leaving Peter van der Heyden and Eric van Meir on
standby should they be declared unfit.
Japan defender Ryuzo Morioka described Belgium as "a defensive team" and
cited as their strengths "their height and their high percentage of goals from
free-kicks".
The Belgians will carry the advantage in terms of physical power but Japan
have pace and the playmaking skills of Hidetoshi Nakata.
They should also have Shinji Ono available to take his place in a five-man
midfield, after fears the player was suffering from appendicitis.
On the right side, Tomokazu Myojin could be brought in to check the runs of
Bart Goor.
In qualifying the Belgians' defensive record was impressive - they conceded
six goals in 10 matches - and the prospect of a low-scoring match is high given
Japan's lack of finishing power.
The Japanese have scored just twice from open play in their last four matches
- suggesting a repeat of the sides' only previous meeting, a goalless draw in
the Kirin Cup in 1999.
This will not worry the 52,000 crowd in Saitama, the vast majority of whom
will be screaming - rather than shouting - for Japan.
Troussier's side are looking for their first World Cup points after three
defeats on their debut outing at France 98.
They are desperate to avoid becoming the first host team to fail to qualify
for the second round.
Belgium failed at the first hurdle in France 98 and again at Euro 2000.
If they are to avoid a third such setback in a group also containing Russia
and Tunisia, a draw against Japan would be the minimum requirement.
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