Sports News

Belgium expect Hazard to have more playing time ahead of Qatar 2022

[ad_1]

Belgian coach Roberto Martinez says he hopes Eden Hazard will be able to stay fit and play more regularly at his club as he outlines plans for the next World Cup finals.

Hazard was captain of the team as Belgium qualified for Qatar 2020 by beating Estonia 3-1 in the penultimate match played in Brussels on Saturday.

LOTUTA |
France, after beating Belgium, have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

But the 30-year-old striker has struggled to make time for Real Madrid’s game, even after recovering from a long-standing injury, which has been a source of concern in Belgium.

“I especially hope Eden Hazard stays fit. And every player on his club shows the best of himself, as there is a lot of competition for the starting lineup,” Martinez said.

Hazard is one of the golden generations that has kept Belgium in first place in the FIFA rankings since 2018, but has not been able to deliver a major trophy.

He was a semi-finalist at the last World Cup in Russia, but was disappointed at the European Championships this year with a quarter-final start and finished fourth in the Nations League final played in Italy last month.

But he has been clinical in the rankings.

“You know, we’re always in a situation where we have to win everything,” Martinez said.

“That’s what the outside world expects and it creates extra pressure. I’m very happy because our players handle that well. They always walk. Every player in his club is always in a special situation, but with the national team. Everyone pulls in the same direction. That’s good thinking. .

“Now we’ve played 27 playoffs under my control. We’ve won 25 of them. We should be happy about that. That’s why we should really celebrate this standings. That’s not uncommon.”

Martinez also outlined plans to prepare for next year.

“We will work in different phases. First, we will go to Wales on Tuesday to win,” he said of the team’s last qualifier in Cardiff.

“We have that responsibility because Wales are still fighting for the play-offs.

“The intention is to call only players with less than 50 caps in March. We will be able to determine their role within the team in this training session.

“Then there will be another six matches in the top flight of the League of Nations. Four in June, two in September. These duels will be the perfect preparation for the World Cup,” Martinez added.

[ad_2]

Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button