Anthuenis includes young guns
Friday, August 16, 2002
Article summary
New Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis has named three uncapped players in his squad to face Poland.
Article body
Belgium's newly appointed national coach Aimé Anthuenis named three uncapped players in a 20-man squad for next week's friendly away to Poland.
Ins and outs
Uncapped midfield players Koen Daerden, Jonathan Blondel and Stijn Vreven were included as Anthuenis starts to rebuild following the international retirement of several experienced players. Captain Marc Wilmots as well as Johan Walem, Yves Vanderhaeghe and Branko Strupar have all quit the national side.
Succeeds Waseige
Anthuenis, the successful former RSC Anderlecht coach, was chosen in late June to replace Robert Waseige. His task is to lead the Red Devils to EURO 2004™ in Portugal, with the first qualifying fixture on 7 September against Group 8 rivals Bulgaria.
Belgium squad
De Vlieger, Herpoel, De Boeck, Dheedene, B Peeters, J Peeters, Valgaeren, Van Buyten, Vanderheyden, Blondel, Daerden, Goor, Vanderhaeghe, Vreven, Simons, Baseggio, Englebert, M Mpenza, E Mpenza, Sonck.