Group 8: Belgian hopes on the line

By Kevin Ashby

Paul Van Himst, Belgium's Player of the Century, believes the current side "will qualify" for the 2004 UEFA European Championship, but acknowledges that it "will become very, very difficult" to do so should the Red Devils lose to Bulgaria for the second time in Group 8 on Saturday.

Charge halted
Belgium were outwitted in their previous meeting with the Bulgarians, who triumphed 2-0 in Brussels. Plamen Markov's side followed that up with victories against Croatia and Andorra before Estonia halted their charge when drawing 0-0 in Tallinn. Bulgaria's tally of ten points, though, sees them top the section from Croatia, who have seven points, and Belgium, another point further back.

'In contention'
Belgium were left reeling by a 4-0 thrashing by the Croatians but Van Himst told uefa.com that confidence remains high. "I think the national team is very optimistic of success against Bulgaria," said the 59-year-old. "They may have some pessimism in their minds after the loss to Croatia but that was a game in which Belgium were not themselves. I'm sure that they will qualify and a victory against Bulgaria will put them back in contention, although if they lose the decisive game the situation will become very, very difficult."

'Calm head'
A former coach of Belgium and the man who guided RSC Anderlecht to UEFA Cup success in 1982/83, Van Himst believes the players will not need any extra motivation for the Sofia showdown. "The emphasis should be on mental preparation," he said. "I read in the press that they players are complaining of fatigue as training is difficult, but they shouldn't need such physical preparation. They should try to relax and keep a calm head."

Suicidal decision
Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis had been critical of his players' attitude to training but said "they were sharper" on Wednesday. Nico Van Kerckhoven and Gaetan Englebert have picked up injuries, although the coach will still play 4-4-2 with Thomas Buffel and Wesley Sonck likely to lead the line, with Emile Mpenza on the bench. "I can understand the decision", Mpenza said. "Starting with three attackers away in Bulgaria would be suicide."

New captain
Bulgaria also have personnel problems. Georgi Chilikov, Milen Petkov and Gueorgui Peev are injured, Predrag Pazin and Zoran Jankovic suspended, and Radostin Kishishev quit the team two weeks ago, reportedly in protest at the decision to make Stilian Petrov captain following Krassimir Balakov's retirement. Martin Stankov will replace Kishishev, while Nikolay Krastev, capped once before, should take Pazin's place.

'Enough quality'
"I am worried by the large number of unavailable players," said Markov. "However, we have to show that we still possess enough quality to defeat Belgium." Ivan Vutsov, the general secretary of the Bulgarian Football Union, said: "If we beat Belgium then we will be 80 per cent certain of reaching Portugal."

'Another level'
Estonia would rate their chances as slightly lower, but they are just a point behind Belgium ahead of Saturday's visit of pointless Andorra. Indrek Zelinski, who scored both goals in a 2-0 win in Andorra La Vella, is suspended, while fellow striker Andres Oper is struggling with a muscle injury and is rated at 50-50. Coach Arno Pijpers said: "We have capable substitutes but these guys are on another level."

Piiroja bonus
Left winger Sergei Terehhov (thigh) is also a doubt, although the return of centre-back Raio Piiroja is a bonus. Marko Kristal will reach 129 caps if he plays in Tallinn and against Croatia on Wednesday, when Belgium tackle Andorra.

Additional reporting by Nedko Kyuchukov, Pawel Dimow, Berend Scholten and Margus Luik. Van Himst interview conducted by Mark Chaplin