Belgium’s Red Devils will go all out to win against England in the 3rd and final match in Group H at Football World Cup 2018 on Thursday in Kaliningrad, Vice-Captain Jan Vertonghen said on Monday. "It’s a peculiar match, but everyone who is going to play against England will do everything to win,” said Vertonghen, who has an all-time record number of appearances in the national team and could celebrate his 105th cap on Thursday. “We spoke about it (at Tottenham) after the draw and I’m happy that we’ve both qualified. The result will have less effect. It’s going to be a strange but entertaining match.”
Obtaining the 2nd place in Group H would mean less travel, since the Red Devils would then play their Final 16 match in Moscow and not Rostov. That would also give the team an extra rest day since that match is played on the 3rd of July, whereas the winner of the group would play on the 2nd. “We’d prefer to travel less, but those who are going to play against England will do everything to win. I’ve never set foot on a field with the idea of losing,” the defender said.
“We have great esteem for England. Clearly it has been one of the most impressive teams in this World Cup so far; it’s one of the big favourites of the tournament,” Vertonghen said. “The great strength of our game is that we rely on our strong points. We are full of confidence and we can beat everyone. Now, that will depend on our form that day and on details. Many big teams have had difficulties, but they could grow as the tournament goes on.”
Asked about the difference between Red Devils’ top-scorer Romelu Lukaku and England’s Harry Kane, his club-football teammate, he stressed: “They have something in common: it’s their very strong ambition. Harry is more of a target player. Romelu carries the team more on his shoulder. In that sense they are very different."
The Brussels Times
