After the measly one in six against direct competitors Scotland and Spain, the match against Malta, the weak brother of the group, was a must-win match for the young Devils. And preferably with as many goals difference as possible. Only the nine group winners and the three best runners-up are allowed to participate in the European Championship in 2025.
Vermant opens the score
The Belgians immediately understood the importance of the match and started strongly. Yet it had to wait until five minutes before half time for the ban to be broken. Vermant cleverly headed a corner into the square and provided the deserved Belgian lead. Not that it wasn’t coming. It was only a matter of time before that goal was scored. Belgium was lord and master. The opposite would also be surprising. Malta limited themselves to defending and were happy when they got the ball over the halfway line. Matazo saw a ball deflected off the line earlier in the first half, and Steuckers kicked wide on a rebound after a good shot by Siquet. And goalscorer Vermant had also missed from close range.
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In the second half the young Belgians continued with the same momentum. After weak defense from the Maltese, the ball ended up at Steuckers via Stroeykens and Vermant, rewarded with a selection after his strong performance at STVV, who put the double lead on the board from an oblique angle. Swerts’ men immediately started looking for that third goal. Matazo put Fofana alone in front of goal, he kicked the keeper from close range.
Stupid penalty foul Van Den Bosch
When Malta broke out for the first time, Van Den Bosch considered it necessary to tackle in his own box. The referee ruled too little ball. Penalty. Zammit quietly put it inside. Completely unnecessary and a bad thing for the goal difference. Swerts responded immediately and brought more offensive force with Olaigbe and Duranville, among others.
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In addition to some flashy dribbles from Duranville, that substitution resulted in a beautiful goal. Olaigbe started a nice solo from his own half and finished it calmly. 3-1, his fourth goal this qualifying campaign. Mission partially completed. The three points remain in Belgium. on the other hand, they failed to further increase the goal difference – competitor Scotland won 4-1 against Kazakhstan. So it is better to win against Spain on Tuesday if the Belgians want to keep their chances at the European Championship intact.
© BELGA
Digest:
Belgium line-up: Vandevoordt, Siquet (Sardella 63′), Van Den Bosch, Spileers, Rommens, , Matazo (Duranville 63′), Engels, Stroeykens, Steuckers (Mbamba 88′), Vermant (Sylla 72′), Fofana (Olaigbe 63 ‘)
Goals: 1-0 Vermant 40′, 2-0 Steuckers 47′, 2-1 Zammit 62′ 3-1 Olaigbe
Yellow cards: Vermant 9′, Engels 26′, Van Den Bosch 61′
Duranville: “I’m as happy as a child to be back on the field”
After a lot of injuries last year, Duranville was given half an hour to prove himself by coach Swerts in the match against Malta. And that felt good. “To be honest, I felt a sense of freedom,” Duranville says. “It’s always a lot of fun to be on the field. The team played a good first half and tired the opponent’s defenders well. That made it easier for creative players like me to come in. Playing football is my favorite thing to do. By the way, Olaigbe’s goal was fantastic. I really enjoyed being on the field. I am as happy as a child to be playing matches again.” Not surprising, Duranville is still a kid after all.
Coach Swerts was disappointed with the goal, even more so than the many missed opportunities. “We had to bring the game to a decisive stage much more quickly,” he says. “We created a lot of chances in the first half, but only finished one. Fortunately, we started better in the second half and immediately scored that goal. After which we concede an avoidable goal. That’s what bothers me the most. Van Den Bosch should never tackle there. It is impossible for that Malta player to score from that corner. Simply following along would have been enough. Moreover, Spileers was still in his back. A learning moment for him.”
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Tags: Young Devils easily beat Malta European Championship qualifying forgot score
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