Belgium's De Bruyne, Tielemans to miss France match due to suspension
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
LIEGE, Belgium, Oct 3 : Belgium must do without captain Youri Tielemans and midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne when they meet France in the Nations League on Monday in a blow to their chances at the Stade de France.
The pair are suspended after being cautioned in successive games and have to serve a one-match ban, sitting out the last of four Nations League games played over a 10-day period in the international window.
De Bruyne was the hero of Belgium’s 3-0 home win over Turkey in Liège on Friday but picked up a caution late in the game for an outburst after being fouled.
“Kevin was simply frustrated and, in my opinion, didn’t even realise the consequences of the yellow card,” said Belgium coach Mark van Bommel.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
Friday’s triumph was a second win in his first three games in charge for Van Bommel since taking over as coach, but the match was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggested.
“We were very sloppy in possession,” Van Bommel said.
“As a result, we gave the opponent the feeling that they could create chances. Before our second goal, we didn’t string 20 passes together.
"It was a ping-pong match. It went back and forth for a long time, without me ever feeling that we were going to lose.
“But I think you saw an entertaining game. It’s just not something you like to see as a coach. Those things have to be eliminated. Then our level will improve and the opponent will have fewer opportunities to stay in the game.”
The 35-year-old De Bruyne scored twice, and record scorer Romelu Lukaku, 33, came off the bench to score his 94th goal for the Belgian national team.
“It’s great what they are still doing for the national team. Not only for themselves, but also for the rest of the team. On a good day, they pull the others along with them,” Van Bommel said of the veteran duo.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app