Are the Belgian teams sowing the seeds of recovery?

 

The history of football is awash in near misses, yes and buts. Words could and should prevail in pubs and clubs where fans discuss the latest controversial incidents and wonder how things didn't turn out the way they wanted. On June 17, 2002 in Kobe, South Korea, fans of the Belgian national team approached their second-round match against Brazil with fear and unease. After struggling to qualify out of a group consisting of Tunisia, Japan, and Russia, they expected to be humiliated and sent home. However, it would turn out to be a game they would never forget.

The Red Devils (a nickname written by journalist Pierre Walkiers in 1906 after a famous victory over the Dutch) forced the elected world champions to fall behind early on with Mbo Mpenza forcing Marcos to an early stop. The Belgians suffocated Brazil for long periods, controlling the midfield and creating many chances. In the 36th minute a cross came in from the right that was brilliantly solved by Marc Wilmots and flew past Marcos' goal. A nation stands up. 1-0 to Belgium! Or so we think. Unfortunately referee Peter Prendergast disagreed and fouled Roque Junior. The ประวัติทีมบาเยิร์นมิวนิค fell off them and less than a minute later the Brazilians nearly went ahead, when De Vlieger saved well at Ronaldo's feet. In the second half, the Brazilian class said (don't forget this is when the players really seemed interested in playing for their country and there was no "magic square" in sight) scoring twice through Ronaldo and Rivaldo, the chance had gone.

When interviewed after the game, Marc Wilmots, scorer of the disallowed "goal", said the referee had approached him at half-time and apologized for his mistake. The goal should have been kept, but the Belgian captain playing in his last international game took it easy. "It's hard to accept decisions like that, but you have to play the game." Rarely in today's game do we see a player react so well to such a mistake and although his team was expected to lose, there would have been thoughts of what if ...

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The players returned to Belgium with their heads held high. Of course they had lost in the second round, but they gave the Brazilians quite a scare, something a "superior" England could not do. Phil Scolari, the Brazilian coach, mentioned later (after winning the tournament) that their second round match was the hardest they had to play. The team didn't fall apart right away, but there was a world cup hangover. A massive exodus of players and the resignation of coach Robert Waseige weren't the only culprits for the decline, but they obviously didn't help matters. During the following years, Belgium failed to qualify for Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup (the first time it failed to qualify for a world cup in 24 years). However, the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008 were a real struggle and, although they were in the group that includes Portugal, Poland and Serbia, they never seemed to qualify, especially after a 0-0 draw at home with Kazakhstan in their opener. The reputation accumulated during the 1980s and 1990s by world-class players such as Enzo Scifo, Jean Marie Pfaff and Eric Gerets slowly faded away.

However, this is the good part. The part where I tell you that Belgium has since produced world class players they will qualify for the next World Cup and win it. Of course I am lying and should compromise for my own safety and for everyone around me, but before they find me I will say that the future is bright for Belgians even after a few frankly horrible years. There are two main reasons for this. The qualifying groups for the 2010 World Cup have recently been drawn. Belgium somehow found themselves in third place (I'm not really sure considering they were 5th in their last qualifying group) and the draw could have been much, much worse. Granted the seeded and obviously favorites for the group, Spain has the best midfield in the world and possibly the front line. But as we know, they are always susceptible to an early defeat, particularly away from home and they have a clearly average defense (I know you are probably thinking of Carlos Puyol, it is the Spanish John Terry). Second seeds Turkey are a decent team but quite a bit. Some players are expected to retire after Euro 2008, which could mean that the 2010 qualifiers may prove to be a rebuilding exercise.