Belgium’s golden generation embark on World Cup opportunity (video)

Belgium have never been classed amongst the powerhouses of international football, often left to simmer in the backwaters together with the nations that rarely manage to qualify for World Cups and European Championships. The spotlight probably won’t even be on them when they meet Wales in Cardiff this weekend for the opening match of qualification Group A for the World Cup in Brazil in two years’ time.

Despite home-nation Wales being the obvious interest with Chris Coleman’s dubious form with the previously promising squad he inherited from Gary Speed being the main focus as perennial failures Wales start the campaign that looked so rosy when under the arm of their now deceased ex-manager, it makes Belgium’s secondary role rather odd considering the spectacular array of talent they now possess. If Sven Goran Eriksson’s England of David Beckham and co. were the original “Golden Generation”, Belgium’s current line-up take that billing and give it then-some; that this batch of talent has fertilised at the same time is a coincidence that can be filed under the bizarre.

Many eyes will be on Zenit St Petersburg’s new signing of £30 million plus, Axel Witsel, who provides the spine of Belgium’s midfield together with Porto’s Steven Defour who has caught the eye from Sir Alex Ferguson in the past. Timmy Simons, their fellow midfielder of 94 caps, towers above a rather youthful squad with 35 years of age, the wise-head together with Bayern Munich’s 34 year old Daniel Van Buyten.

Supporters of a Premier League heritage will be more familiar with captain Vincent Kompany, title-winning skipper at Manchester City, Everton’s Kevin Mirallas and Marouane Fellaini, Chelsea’s spectacular-looking Eden Hazard, Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen and Tottenham’s two new signings, Moussa Dembele and versatile defender Jan Vertonghen.

With youngsters like Chelsea’s Romelu Lakaku, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne, all currently away from Stamford Bridge on loan, adding exuberance to the squad, things are looking very rosy indeed, quite apt for the Rode Duivels of northern Europe.

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