Defensive rethink for Belgium
Monday, August 28, 2006
Article summary
Injuries have forced three changes to the Belgium squad for their second UEFA EURO 2008™ Group A qualifier against Armenia in Yerevan on 6 September.
Article body
Injuries have forced three changes to the Belgium squad for their second UEFA EURO 2008™ Group A qualifier against Armenia in Yerevan on 6 September.
Injured defenders
Following their opening 0-0 draw at home to Kazakhstan, Belgium have been forced to do without defenders Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Gil Swerts through injury. KAA Gent's Nicolas Lombaerts, Club Brugge KV's Gaëtan Englebert and Feyenoord's Pieter Collen have been called up to deputise.
Goalkeeping switch
Coach René Vandereycken has also turned to a new goalkeeper. With Geert De Vlieger out of favour at his club, SV Zulte Waregem, Brian Vandenbussche from Dutch side SC Heerenveen is brought in to understudy Stijn Stijnen and Davy Schollen.
Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Stijn Stijnen (Club Brugge KV), Davy Schollen (RSC Anderlecht), Brian Vandenbussche (SC Heerenveen).
Defenders: Pieter Collen (Feyenoord), Carl Hoefkens (Stoke City FC), Nicolas Lombaerts (KAA Gent), Daniel Van Buyten (FC Bayern München), Jelle Van Damme (RSC Anderlecht), Anthony Vanden Borre (RSC Anderlecht).
Midfielders: Koen Daerden (Club Brugge KV), Wim De Decker (KRC Genk), Steven Defour (R. Standard de Liège), Gaëtan Englebert (Club Brugge KV), Karel Geraerts (R. Standard de Liège), Bart Goor (RSC Anderlecht), Timmy Simons (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Thomas Buffel (Rangers FC), Moussa Dembele (AZ Alkmaar), Stein Huysegems (Feyenoord), Luigi Pieroni (AJ Auxerre), Kevin Vandenbergh (KRC Genk).