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It was the first home defeat for the Belgians since Martinez’
first game in charge, in September 2016 against Spain, and will
be deflating blow just months away from the World Cup finals in
Qatar, where Belgium are among the fancied teams.
They had spent three years at the top of the FIFA rankings until
recently, when they slipped below Brazil to second.
On Friday, however, they were completely outplayed by the Dutch.
“This is what we needed to prepare for the World Cup. It's a
hard result but it's clear what we need to work on,” Martinez
said after the heavy defeat in Brussels.
“The World Cup does not start until November but with the
national team we only have 17 days to get ready. It is clear
what we need to work on, we started well and found spaces. After
that it became physically difficult for players.”
Belgium have three more Nations League games over the next
fortnight and two in September before they go to the World Cup,
where they meet Canada, Morocco and Croatia in Group F.
"We have to use the Nations League to prepare for the World Cup.
We have to keep building a team towards the World Cup.”
Martinez bemoaned the early injury to Romelu Lukaku who had been
hurt in a training ground collision earlier in the week and was
doubtful until the eve of the match.
“Lukaku's departure was a knock to the team. From then on it
became a more difficult match,” he said.
Veteran defender Jan Vertonghen also said Lukaku’s exit threw
the Belgians off their stride.
“A very painful defeat. We lacked momentum after Romelu's
injury. The Dutch have had just as tough a season as we have, so
that shouldn't be an excuse,” he said.
“The physical part was not tonight's shortcoming. In particular,
we had difficulties controlling their strikers.
“This defeat puts our feet on the ground. It is clear that we
will have to keep working hard.”
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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