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We have a lot of expectations: De Bruyne

Midfielder says Belgium still ‘hungry’ after 2-1 win over Algeria.

Afp June 18, 2014

belgium 039 s midfielder kevin de bruyne l and algeria 039 s forward riyad mahrez c vie for the ball during a group h football match between belgium and algeria at the mineirao stadium in belo horizonte during the 2014 fifa world cup on june 17 2014 photo afp

Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (L) and Algeria's forward Riyad Mahrez (C) vie for the ball during a Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

BELO HORIZONTE: After a 12-year World Cup famine, success-starved Belgium are preparing to feast on their opponents, says midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

The 22-year-old was named man of the match on Tuesday after helping Belgium come from a goal down to score a precious 2-1 victory over Algeria in Group H.

De Bruyne, rescued from a miserable spell at Chelsea when he signed for VFL Wolfsburg in January, produced a dynamic second-half performance as the Red Devils recovered from the shock of conceding a 25th-minute penalty by Sofiane Feghouli.

“We have a lot of expectations as do the supporters,” he said.

“But every match is a tough one. We will take them one at a time.

“If we take three points against Russia then we will see after that. But we are hungry. I would even say we are famished” he added.

Belgian manager Marc Wilmots, who caused some consternation among the players with his line-up and positioning, said his side needed to adapt to their relatively recent status of being considered outsiders for the title.

“Our opponents are scared of us and therefore they realign their tactics when they play us,” said the 45-year-old, who has yet to lose a competitive match since he took over at the helm in 2012.

“We are maybe the fastest team in the world on the counter-attack – as was clear in the lead-up to our second goal – therefore our adversaries play very deep in order to try and deny us space.

Wilmots’ substitutions in the second half changed the game with two of them Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens getting on the scoresheet.

He was also delighted by the mental strength shown by his side.

“The resilience and the mental strength they showed will stand them in good stead for the future,” said Wilmots, who revealed he had written on the board in the dressing room prior to the match that the substitutes would make the difference.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2014.

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