SM
Real Madrid vs. Mallorca: 7 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Roberto Martinez expects "really competitive" game against Japan

:Headline: Roberto Martinez expects 'really competitive' game against Japan: ID:329570: from db_amp
Belgium's Roberto Martinez does not anticipate "any big surprises" against last-16 opponents Japan, having faced the Asian side in a Brussels friendly seven months ago.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has admitted that he is wary of "really competitive" World Cup last-16 opponents Japan.

The Red Devils beat England 1-0 in Kaliningrad earlier this week to top Group H and will therefore face the Asian side in Rostov-on-Don on Monday evening.

Martinez knows all about Japan's strengths after grinding out a 1-0 friendly win in November and, despite Akira Nishino replacing Vahid Halilhodzic between then and the start of the tournament, the Spaniard is not expecting any surprises.

"We played a very entertaining game in Bruges not long ago," he told reporters. "There's been a change of coach but not a real change in the squad.

"They're very well organised, dynamic... technically, Japanese football is very strong and we expect a really competitive team. There won't be any big surprises.

"To be successful in a World Cup is not about facing the opponent that everyone expects is going to be giving you the golden key to go through.

"I don't think that in the World Cup you can be successful by trying to hope to get an easy path. We saw that in the Euros two years ago."

Belgium, beaten just once since Martinez first took charge nearly two years ago, will face either Brazil or Mexico if they reach the quarter-finals.

amp_article__329570 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-07-01 18:56:33:
html db last update - 2018-07-01 18:56:33 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Roberto Martinez

Click here for more stories about Belgium

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .