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Friday 47 Sports Friday, July 6, 2018

Brazil seek to temper hopes of ’s ‘Golden Generation’

KAZAN: Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has won’t be there”. admitted he has no secrets as he plots to end On Monday, Belgium mounted a stirring Brazil’s bid for a record-extending sixth World fightback to beat Japan, with scor- Cup ahead of their “dream” quarter-final in ing the winner in the 94th minute. Becoming the Kazan today. But the nation’s “Golden Genera- first team in 48 years to overcome a 2-0 deficit tion” have been reminded that the match against in a World Cup knockout match was a “proud” the favorites could represent the last chance for moment for Martinez, who said: “That was a test them to shine on the world stage. for the team and its character.” “It’s a dream match for our players,” Martinez told Belgian press after sealing qualification for threat the last eight with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Despite scoring nine times in wins over Japan in the first phase of the knockout rounds. Panama (3-0), Tunisia (5-2) and England (1-0) “There won’t be many secrets to the game. We before the Japan game, Belgium will have to lift have to defend as well as we can and then punish their game significantly to beat a well-drilled them when we have the ball. “It’s that simple, and Brazil side increasingly dancing to the tune of this team is ready for that.” star forward Neymar. On paper, a Belgium side containing the tal- Neymar signaled he had well and truly put a ents of Chelsea’s , recent injury lay-off behind him with an incisive of Manchester City and Manchester United performance in a 2-0 win over Mexico in striker have the potential to Samara, where he scored the opener and set up cause a World Cup upset. But despite sailing Roberto Firmino for his maiden World Cup goal. through the group stage, Martinez’s ambitious Even more is expected from Neymar, whose Red Devils have their work cut out if they are to pace, technique and all-round vision allied to go all the way to the July 15 final in Moscow. Willian’s slick movement gave Brazil another di- Third-ranked Belgium reached the quarter- mension. KAZAN: Brazil fans cheer as they await their team’s arrival at Mirage Hotel in Kazan yesterday finals in 2014 in Brazil but before that the last For all Brazil’s attacking riches, Belgium’s for their Russia 2018 World Cup round of 8 football match against Belgium. —AFP time they got so far was in 1986, when ‘Little biggest problem could be piercing a robust de- Prince’ Frank Vercauteren steered them to the fense that has conceded just once, in their 1-1 semi-finals before a Diego Maradona double opening draw with Switzerland. Brazil centre- “We’re progressing, that’s evident,” Silva said that is also catching the eye of observers. “As a ended their hopes in a 2-0 defeat in Mexico. back pairing Joao Miranda and after their win over Mexico. “It was a complicated former defender, I love watching Silva and Mi- Vercauteren said before the tournament that have been solid and will aim to keep it that way match against a dangerous side, but we were solid randa play,” former France defender William Gal- Russia represented “perhaps one of the last as the five-time champions target a place in the at the back.” Mistakes such as the ones that al- las said in his role as a consultant for French radio chances for this generation of players to live up semi-finals and a match with either France or lowed Japan to grab a two-goal lead are sure to station RMC. “They’re the best centre back part- to expectations, because in 2022 a lot of them Uruguay. be punished by Neymar but it is Brazil’s defence nership of this World Cup.” —AFP

Argentina he drifted out of the game and was replaced after the field,” fullback said last month. Belgium pin dreams 75 ineffective minutes as won their head-to-head “He’s got extraordinary qualities, does things other players in a 1-0 Argentina victory. cannot. And you don’t just run him over. He’s very strong on Two years later, the stage was set for him to lead Belgium his feet so it’s difficult to take the ball off him. I think he’s the on the mercurial past outsiders Wales in the Euro quarter-finals but, in the face complete player.” Ominously for Brazil, his team mates believe of determined defending, he faded when it mattered most and Hazard is in the form of his life and ready to deliver. “I’ve talent of Hazard drifted out of the game with a shock 3-1 loss. Hazard is ad- known him for years and the way he has trained and played mired for his attacking flair, ability to run at defenses and fin- over the last weeks has been exceptional,” said goalkeeper ishing but it is his maverick genius that sets him apart. Thibault Courtois, who is also at Chelsea, this week. “I think NIZHNY NOVGOROD: Eden Hazard leads his team into “Ice baths, massages, he doesn’t really do all that stuff,” he can reach another level.” —AFP today’s World Cup quarter-final match against Brazil on a team mate in a recent TV documentary over stage built to showcase his talent but whether Belgium gets Hazard. told of his amazement when Hazard the full benefit of his mercurial ability is to be seen. Hazard is went to the Chelsea gym for the first time-four years after he undoubtedly one of the stars of the tournament in Russia and first signed for the club. “I told him recently that he must thank at 27-years-old, wearing the captain’s armband, at the peak of God for the talent he has been given. He answered, ‘Maybe I his powers. should thank him a little’,” recalled former club mate Demba Today’s Matches (All local timings) But there is always a nagging doubt that when the going Ba. It all comes easy to Hazard, rarely bothered by the pres- gets tough, the attacking might once again prove sure and expectation. That supposed indifference was often a Uruguay 17:00 France anonymous. It happened at the last World Cup in Brazil and cause of irritation for managers like Jose Mourinho and Anto- two years ago at the European Championship when Belgium’s nio Conte. But Belgium see what he is capable of and have 21:00 ‘golden generation’ stood on the brink of delivering on their placed their faith firmly in him. “He’s a not a natural leader like Brazil Belgium potential but then imploded. In the 2014 quarter-final against Kompany but rather a leader who shows through example on