SOCCER: Belgium not taking anything for granted in Senegal last-32 clash

SEATTLE — Belgium national football team enter their World Cup Round of 32 match against Senegal national football team on Wednesday with momentum and a fully fit squad, but coach Rudy Garcia said being favorites offers no guarantees in knockout football.

Belgium labored through opening draws against Egypt and Iran before coming alive in a 5-1 victory over New Zealand that secured top spot in Group G and kept them in Seattle, their base for the match.

For the first time in the tournament, Belgium have a fully available squad, Garcia said. Winger Jeremy Doku missed time due to the birth of his son and a brief illness, while defender Zeno Debast has recovered from a leg injury and is available for selection after missing the group stage.

Debast, who was injured last month while training with his club Sporting CP, may not start against Senegal. Garcia said the defender will need time to return to full fitness.

“He’s going to need some time to get back to 100% of his capacities and his potential,” Garcia told reporters on Tuesday. “But it’s not going to be a problem, because since the start of the competition, we have shown a very strong defense.”

Belgium conceded just two goals during the group stage — one each against Egypt and New Zealand.

With a fully fit squad, Garcia now has multiple options from the bench. “What matters is not only the starting eleven,” he said.

Striker Romelu Lukaku played a key role in Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt, helping force an own goal shortly after coming on in the second half.

Weather conditions for Wednesday’s match are expected to be cool and overcast, a contrast to the high temperatures Belgium faced in their opener against Egypt, when Garcia said heat and dry grass affected his team’s ability to play fluid football.

Favourites tag means little

Upsets elsewhere in the tournament — including Germany’s shootout exit to Paraguay and the Netherlands’ defeat to Morocco — have reinforced the unpredictability of knockout football.

“There are no small squads,” Garcia said. “Even if you are a favorite on paper, which was the case for Germany, you can still lose.”

Senegal, who advanced from a challenging group that included France, Norway, and Iraq, present a different kind of test, he added.

Garcia described Senegal as “very fast,” “very strong,” technically skilled, and well organized defensively.

Although Senegal qualified as a third-placed team, Garcia said their group-stage finish does not reflect their true quality.

The match also carries a personal storyline for Garcia, who previously worked with Senegal coach Pape Thiaw at Saint-Étienne and recalled his early coaching development.

Thiaw is “a wonderful player and a wonderful coach as well,” Garcia said. “I’m very happy for him. But I’m going to defeat him.” -Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters