Belgium reaches the knockout stage after easily overcome the
group stage with maximum points after beating Algeria, Russia and South Korea,
although in all three cases by the minimum margin.
Match Schedule
Belgium vs. United States
1 July, Tuesday at Arena
Fonte Nova, Salvador
2014 FIFA World Cup
The team led by Marc Wilmots, not classified to the knockout
from the Korea-Japan World 2002 (his previous involvement), looks refreshed and
is the youngest of the series.
"Too much pressure on young people is created; I
suffered in the World cup that I had to play because I was obsessed with
victory. Hopefully juveniles can I cope manfully this tournament and this instance
that we had to get," said Coach Wilmots.
The coach, not yet confirmed the lineup, have the defender
Anthony Van den Borre, injured with a fractured tibia, and Captain Vincent
Kompany to muscle discomfort, although the value of Manchester City would start.
United States, meanwhile, comes with the confidence of having
overcome a tough group to beat Ghana 2-1 draw with Portugal 2-2 and 1-0 down to
Germany, leaving out of the competition by a priori formidable team of
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Americans, with the German coach Jurgen Klinsmann as
standard, also carry the excitement generated in the country since the team's
games are surpassing record levels of television ratings, beating the 2014 NBA
Finals and parties Series world baseball.