FRANCE 98 – MatchQuotes
Match Number 8 HOL – BEL Quotes George LEEKENS, trainer of BELGIUM (Group E)
Statement made in LYON
Before travelling to PARIS by TGV (Departure time from LYON Part Dieu: 16 h 40), the Belgian trainer George LEEKENS revealed the line-up to face the NETHERLANDS at the Stade de France, on 13th June.
“Although the most important matches for us are against MEXICO and KOREA REPUBLIC, we are going to play an extremely offensive formation against the NETHERLANDS. The only uncertainty concerns VIDOVIC (4), who has pain in the adductor muscle. Nevertheless, it is likely that the starting line-up for the preparation match against PARAGUAY will be kept.
The most dangerous situation for us in this first game would be to let our opponents take over the midfield. We must therefore rise to the challenge and do our utmost to create chances. This puts a huge responsibility on our defenders, but I don’t want to let the Dutch occupy our half of the field. In terms of our game plan against the NETHERLANDS, everyone must be prepared to work back at any moment to strengthen the defense and retrieve the ball. This is why a player like Enzo SCIFO (14) mustn’t be let down. He’s a true professional and won’t hesitate to use all his talent to help his team. Enzo has made a strong comeback. He has made a lot of progress in the past weeks, as has VIDOVIC (4), BORKELMANS (5) and MPENZA (19). In preparation against PARAGUAY, he showed that he is on the right track. He is a crucial man in the team for his technical prowess and also for his character and experience. I rely on him a great deal, along with WILMOTS (7) and VAN DER ELST (6).”
Guus HIDDINK
“I think we started the first half as we ended in our preparation matches. We had a good first 35 minutes where we created some chances but we didn’t have the luck to score a goal. We controlled the game. In the second half we had some difficulty although we tried to avoid the wall of defenders by attacking with Marc OVERMARS (14) on the left side and then on the right side. It is not a big blow for us. BELGIUM has improved a lot in the last games”.
Marc OVERMARS (14) :
“THE NETHERLANDS played better in the first half. BELGIUM were happier with the 0-0 score than we were. You told me I was the best player, but that didn’t help a lot. The worst thing for us was the red card for Patrick KLUIVERT (9)”.
Frank DE BOER (4) :
“I think we played well in the first half hour, we played some good football and deserved to win. They played very defensively there were seven men behind the ball. The result is not good for us. We gave just one chance away to Marc WILMOTS (7). We wanted to go for the three points, because we are favourites of course”.
Boudewijn ZENDEN (12) :
“I was very happy to come on in the second half. I played 20 minutes but I soon found myself on my own on the left with Marc OVERMARS (14) after Patrick KLUIVERT (9) was sent off, which was a blow for the team. It then became very difficult to play because the Belgians were massed in defence. I don’t know if I will be starting the next game against REPUBLIC OF KOREA, but this game will decide whether or not we qualify”.
Georges LEEKENS
“We are pleased with the result. We knew it would be difficult. After the first half hour we got a bit more control of the game. It was a good game but not a marvellous game. It’s good we had this result as the next game with MEXICO is the most important for us”.
Emile M’PENZA(20):
“It’s a good result. We now need to take three points against MEXICO. If we win against them, we’ll practically be assured of qualification. On the match itself our second half was a lot better. George LEEKENS asked us to push further up and that’s what we did.”
Danny BOFFIN (21):
A draw is quite a good result for us. It’s even like a small victory. You can be sure that we’re going to attack against MEXICO and the REPUBLIC OF KOREA. There is really a great atmosphere in the squad. We’re really united. In fact, this is what could make the difference.”
Enzo SCIFO (14):
“First of all, we defended very well. When Patrick KLUIVERT (9) was sent off, the team started to grow in confidence. It’s true though that we played better in the second half and the Dutch found it more difficult. As for me, I didn’t particularly expect to come on.”
