World Cup - Jan wants Belgium to repeat history
Mon 18 June 2018, 13:08|
Tottenham Hotspur
Belgium hope to kick off their World Cup campaign with victory against Panama but Jan Vertonghen insists it will not be straightforward.
The Red Devils had a similarly winnable opener against Algeria four years ago but had to dig deep to earn a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Dries Mertens and Marouane Fellaini. Jan has not forgotten that vital victory as he looks ahead to their Group G starter against Panama in Sochi on Monday (4pm UK).
“It’s a massive game,” he said. “In the World Cup four years ago, we won that first game quite late against Algeria. We went behind in that match. It was a massive, massive win. It was our first major tournament as a group and it was so important to win that first game.”
Panama will be aggressive and play with heart
Even though our defensive stalwart has a wealth of experience, recently bringing up his century of international appearances for Belgium, he knows that anything less than three points would increase the pressure on Roberto Martínez’s charges.
“If you don’t win that first game then the pressure is on. In France at Euro 2016 we lost against Italy in the first game and you don’t want that feeling going into the second game. That time we had the Republic of Ireland, knowing we had to win and thankfully we did.”
Must have been something special... 👀 #Skills #REDTOGETHER pic.twitter.com/wBOwtV99IM
— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) June 14, 2018
Jan is quick to point out that it is not just Belgium who will have to deal with expectancy. The 31-year-old believes they can exploit any nervousness in a Panama side making their debut at the World Cup finals.
“There is so much pressure on them so it’s important to start well,” he added. “They have nothing to lose and will be proud to play for their country at their first ever World Cup so we know what to expect.”
