MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2014 FAN FERVOR Belgium advance as Russia downed RIO DE JANEIRO: A late goal by teenage substitute Divock Origi was enough to secure Belgium a 1-0 victory over Russia and a place in the last 16 of the World Cup yes- terday. Belgium, who have yet to lose a com- petitive match under coach Marc Wilmots, confirmed their tag as dark horses for the trophy while Russia, who are to host the 2018 finals, have just a point and face a huge task to qualify. It leaves Russia’s Italian coach Fabio Capello potentially facing an even earlier exit than the one four years ago when then in charge of England they went out in the second round. The win left Belgium as clear Group H leaders with a maximum six points from two games after their 2-1 win over Algeria. While Wilmots decision to take off out of sorts striker Romelu Lukaku and send on Origi proved an inspired one it also pro- duced the sole sour note as the older striker looked to be furious as he took his place on the bench. “I know people are not happy to be on the bench,” said Wilmots, whose sub- stitutions in the opening game also proved to be masterstrokes. RIO DE JANEIRO: Belgium’s Divock Origi (left) scores the opening goal during the Group H World Cup soccer “But what is important is Belgium being match against Russia at the Maracana Stadium. —AP able to rely upon totally devoted players when they are called upon. “For the last 20 minutes I had people dying to be brought Preview off the bench.” Origi, who plays for French First Division side Lille, for his part was overcome at scor- Aussies plot Spanish ambush ing in such a sporting arena as the Maracana. “It was very special to score here CURITIBA: Despite Australia already will be one of the biggest moments in side that failed to match Chile’s inten- at the Maracana in the World Cup - and my having been eliminated from the Australian history.” Australia had sity in their 2-0 defeat to the South family in the tribune too,” said Origi. World Cup, the Socceroos all-time arrived in Brazil as the lowest ranked Americans in Rio on Wednesday. “I hope I have paid back some of the con- leading scorer Tim Cahill believes side in the tournament, but far from Captain Iker Casillas, Xavi fidence the coach has shown he has in me.” Australian football can take a huge being intimated by their more illustri- Hernandez and Xabi Alonso may all Capello, whose contract runs till the 2018 step forward with victory over ous opponents they impressively have played their final game for La World Cup, had a penalty shout turned dethroned world champions Spain took the game to Chile and the Roja as they are likely to miss out with down in the first half which irked the Italian. today. Both sides hopes of progres- Netherlands in their two outings so Pepe Reina, Koke and Santi Cazorla “But I’m not thinking of speaking about the sion to the last 16 have been ended far. And capitan Jedinak is deter- expected to be given their chance to referee,” he said tartly afterwards. by successive defeats to Chile and the mined to bow out with something to shine. However, defender Raul Albiol Both sides made a bright start and the Netherlands, but whilst Spain have show for their performances. “It’s insists that pride will motivate the opening minutes saw chances at each end. endured a nightmare defence of their going to be up to us again to go out dethroned champions to fight until Victor Fayzulin swept into the box and fired title in Brazil, Australia have taken there and get something out of the the end and assure they don’t return in a low effort that Belgian keeper Thibaut huge encouragement from their per- Spanish, and try to force our game on home without even registering a Courtois smartly stopped low to his right. formances. them,” he said. point. The Belgians responded as Dries Mertens Ange Postecoglou’s men had led “We’ve done that in both of those “We are at a World Cup, we may be pulled the midfield strings. the Dutch in the second-half in their games and although we haven’t eliminated but we need to win and Mertens accelerated into the danger zone last outing thanks to a wonder strike come away with anything it’s time we take some points so that we are not only to thump an effort wide of the right from Cahill and Mile Jedinak’s penalty make that right.” last in the group,” said the former Real hand post of Igor Akinfeev, who coach Fabio before being eventually losing 3-2. The post mortem into Spain’s dis- Madrid man. Capello had kept faith with despite his blun- Cahill will miss the match in astrous exit after winning three con- “We are representing our country der handing Korea their goal in the opening Curitiba having picked up his second secutive major tournaments has and these are the last 90 minutes. game. Mertens drilled another effort wide as yellow card of the tournament in that already begun with doubts over “Unfortunately we will be going the Belgians, World Cup semi-finalists in match, but has backed his teammates whether coach Vicente del Bosque home afterwards, but the fact it is a 1986, turned the screw. With the runners-up to make history. will remain in charge. The former Real World Cup is enough to motivate us.” in the group likely to face Germany, assum- “We’ve got one more game to go Madrid boss has insisted he will take Gerard Pique is also expected to ing the three-time champions top their and it is not about Tim Cahill,” said the no decision over his future until he is be missing for Spain as he is doubtful group, there was every incentive for both New York Red Bulls forward. “This last back on Spanish soil, but he is expect- after sitting out training on Saturday sides to chase the win. game is massive. If we beat Spain that ed to make a raft of changes to the with an abductor problem. —AFP Russia enjoyed a purple patch as the opening half came to an end, Fayzulin smacking a volley just over following a cor- ner. Denis Glushakov, booked for clattering Mertens, then crossed for Alexander Kokorin, who avoided being the meat in a Jan Vertonghen-Vincent Kompany sandwich but sent a free header off target. Having endured a 56-minute virtual no- show from Lukaku, Wilmots-once again urged to don a jacket by stewards to avoid his white shirt being taken for a Russian one- withdrew him, sending on Origi. Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard defend- ed Lukaku, despite his moody reaction to being replaced, and said both he and Origi deserved credit. “They both have different styles. Romelu didn’t get a lot of space to work in but he played his part in tiring the Russian defense,” he said. Watching royals King Philippe and Queen Mathilde saw the Belgians survive a huge let off with 12 min- utes remaining when Andrey Eshchenko found space but dragged a shot just wide. In a frantic finale another Belgian substitute Kevin Mirallas’ low freekick bounced off the base of the post before Capello finally gave playmaker Alan Dzagoev, whom he had controversailly left on the bench, his chance with nine minutes left. But almost DOHA: This combination of file pictures shows (left) Spain’s midfielder Andres Iniesta and (right) Australia’s as soon as he got into the action, Origi striker Tim Cahill. —AFP struck, leaving Capello and his team on the brink of going home early. —AFP Preview Croatia relishing Matches on TV (Local Timings) own Mexico ‘final’ FIFA World Cup RECIFE: Niko Kovac says his Croatia side are point-blank range to deny Brazil’s Neymar facing their own World Cup ‘final’ against in Fortaleza last Tuesday. Mexico yesterday with only a win guaran- A draw against Croatia would be enough Netherlands v Chile 19:00 teeing them a place in the last 16. to put Mexico through after their goalless beIN SPORTS 2 HD Croatia bounced back from their open- draw with Brazil and 1-0 win over beIN SPORTS 13 HD ing 3-1 defeat to hosts Brazil in Group A Cameroon. beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR with a 4-0 demolition of Cameroon last “The match against Mexico will be like a Wednesday to keep their knock-out dreams final,” Kovac told Croatian broadcaster HTV. Australia v Spain 19:00 alive. “Mexico are strong, but so are we. “The beIN SPORTS 1 HD Striker Mario Mandzukic scored two sec- Mexico players are very patriotic, just like beIN SPORTS 14 HD ond-half goals as Croatia sent 10-man us, and they have a great team spirit. “They beIN SPORTS 2 HD FR Cameroon crashing out of the tournament play some aggressive football with a lot of in disarray. pressing. Wolfsburg pair Ivica Olic and Ivan Perisic “They are strong going forward, but also Cameroon v Brazil 23:00 also got on the scoresheet, but Croatia still have some weaknesses in defence, like beIN SPORTS 1 HD remain third in the table behind leaders Brazil showed us.” Mexico have four points- beIN SPORTS 13 HD Brazil and Mexico. one more than Croatia-as their draw with beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR Kovac knows his side face an uphill task Brazil came after their 1-0 win over against Miguel Herrera’s side in Recife in the Cameroon thanks to Oribe Peralta’s second- wake of Mexico’s confidence-boosting draw half winner.