MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 17:36:24| >> :600:4263419:4263419:

Roberto Martinez promises "adventurous" Belgium at World Cup

Martinez promises
© Reuters
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez promises that his team will be "adventurous and brave" during this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has promised that his side will be "adventurous and brave" at this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Belgium's best-ever performance at a World Cup saw them finish fourth in 1986, but they have been tipped by many to lift the trophy this summer and will go into the tournament as the third-best team in the world according to FIFA's rankings.

Martinez acknowledged that teams such as Germany, who have previously experienced success on the international stage, still have an advantage over his side, but is confident that they have the personnel to go far in Russia.

"Failure is not trying to win. We're going to be adventurous and brave. We're going to try and win every game. But the feelings you develop in the three group games are essential," he told The Guardian.

"We've got the talent but, clearly, a country like Germany already has the belief. When you speak with ex-players from Germany they tell you that when they pulled on the shirt they had no doubt they would win. That psychology is powerful in knockout tournaments. We need to show that mentality and I believe we will because our attitude and talent is very good.

"We have only lost my first game, the friendly against Spain, and since then the players showed incredible focus. Spain was a very interesting game because Julen Lopetegui took over as their manager at a similar time. That was both our first game in charge. It was similar when he took over Porto and we faced each other in a friendly at Everton.

"Spain are in a very good moment. They've got a really good mixture of players that already know what it means to win a major tournament and younger players that have played in this style the last 10 years. From that point we learned a lot tactically and adjusted. We are ready to compete against teams like Spain."

Belgium will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 18, before taking on Tunisia and England in Group G.

ID:328095: cacheID:328095:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2962:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Eden Hazard in action during the international friendly between Belgium and Portugal on June 2, 2018
Read Next:
Hazard: 'It's Belgium's time to win something'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!