Belgium to include 19-year-old rookies against Korea

The Belgium national football team seemed composed ahead of the match with the Korean team at the Brazil World Cup. Belgium is likely to have under age 20 players play in the match with Korea. The Korean team should watch out these young players who are playing their first ever World Cup.

○ Training in relaxed posture

At Mogi Das Cruzes, which is near Sao Paulo and where the Belgium team`s base camp is residing, was full of sounds of laughter Wednesday. Their training was fully opened to reporters for more than an hour. All 23 players were out to the ground, warmed up and did a mini game. The Korean team engaged in closed training. The Belgium players smiled, talked with each other and make jokes while training.

On whether he knew any player from the Korean team, Belgium striker Kevin Mirallas said, "I know Ki Sung-yueng," adding, "I know little about Korea but I`m aware of Hyundai." What he said appeared to show that the Belgium team didn`t even analyze the Korean team.

○ Watch out 19 year old rookies

Belgium Coach Marc Wilmots said he will have key players rest at the third game with the Korean team. According to forecasts by Belgium reporters, six to seven players among those who were starting players at matches with the Algerian and Russian teams will be benched. Most of those who will likely participate at the match against Korea play in Europe`s major leagues. Though not key players, their competence is still well recognized internationally.

Adnan Januzaj will likely replace key striker Eden Hazard, and striker Divock Origi will likely replace Romelu Lukaku. Both players are 19 years old.

Januzaj had been mired in controversy even before the nomination of players for the 2014 Brazil World Cup. He could play in six countries including England, Kosovo and Belgium due to complicated ancestry background. He has been praised by former Manchester United Coach Alex Ferguson as a perfectly balanced player. He has capability of outstanding dribble and large field of view. Wilmots who made efforts to pick him showed huge excitement at social network service when Januzaj chose to have Belgium nationality.

Origi was unknown until a month ago. He became hope for Belgium as he played as substitute player at the first and second game at the first round and scored winning goal against Russian team. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini said, "Nobody knew him when he first came a month ago. Now we all know him," Origi reacts quickly to changing situations and is very energetic, thus supporting the Belgium team that is relatively slow in attack.