VS
Wales
The dream
is still alive for the United Kingdom to have representation in the final, but
it has been Coleman’s Dragons that have been making the positive headlines,
after England’s meltdown against the volcanic Iceland. Bale and his teammates
have been brilliant so far in France, topping their group with two incredible
wins against Slovakia and Russia, and being defeated in the end of the
England’s match.
This Wales team created a very solid team
spirit that doesn’t allow egos, and the mega-star that is Gareth Bale has the
same responsibilities as anybody else in terms of commitment and sacrifice for
the team. They feel much more comfortable when they give away possession to
their opponent and try to break on them, with long balls for the pace of the
Real Madrid winger, Robson-Kanu or Ramsay. If they have to take control of the
game, they are a bit out of their shape, as proven by the scrappy win against
Nor. Ireland. But they got it, and can continue to make history if they can
repeat the results they had against Belgium in qualification.
Belgium
Belgium was seen as one possible dark horse
for the competition, mostly due to the deth in quality that their squad has.
It’s actually quite remarkable, when you look at the names that Wilmots has at
his disposal, that they haven’t really went on to bigger things yet.
It looked like this could another big
disappointment to the Red Devils,
with the loss and lack of chances created against Italy. A game that ensured
the pressure was on Belgium for the rest of the group matches, pressure that
brought out the best of the offensive threat that Hazard, De Bruyne, Mertens
and Lukaku provide. Ireland and Sweden were dispatched, and in the last-16 they
faced the highly motivated, but out of their area Hungary, that was dismantled
when they were trying to get back into the match. It was a solid display, but
with the scoreline not reflecting the game play, as Hungary had their chances.
The game
It has all
the ingredients to be yet another upset in the Euros, the second quarter-final
match. The surprising Wales face off with a Belgium team that, since they lost
with Italy, has been very prolific in attack, but still seems a bit shaky in
defense.
Both teams know each other pretty well, as
they were also opponents in qualification, and Wales had the upper hand in the
H-2-H, being able to nullify the Belgium force, and capitalizing on their
disorganized defensive line to win the game in Cardiff. Expect the game play to
develop like in those two games, with Belgium trying to break Wales defense,
and the Welsh unleashing quick counters with Bale and Robson-Kanu/Vokes as
their pacey targets.
Belgium
will have a very similar game to the one they had against Ireland, but this
time their opponents are more organized in the back and have a world class
player in the front. So, if you want to compare Wales with Italy, it wouldn’t
be unthinkable. Certain is that Belgium
is under pressure and anything but a win will be a massive failure and for
Coleman’s squad being in the quarter-final is, surely, more than they ever
dreamt. And they know they can beat Belgium, and will fight to get another
piece of history in Lille.
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