MX23RW : Monday, November 25 17:20:07| >> :600:267506:267506:

Jan Vertonghen: 'Belgium aiming for World Cup semi-finals'

Vertonghen: 'Belgium aiming for semis'
© Offside
Belgium centre-back Jan Vertonghen reveals that his side are aiming to reach at least the semi-finals of this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen has revealed that his side have set themselves a target of reaching at least the semi-finals at this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Belgium have only ever reached the last four of the competition once before, but the current crop of players are widely considered to be the country's greatest ever and they will go into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Vertonghen admitted that this could be their best and last chance of crowning their 'golden generation', and believes that making it to the semis is a "realistic" target for Roberto Martinez's side.

"You speak about that peak here at Tottenham and it is even more so at Belgium, especially defensively," Vertonghen told reporters.

"I am one of the youngest! We have players like [Vincent] Kompany, [Thomas] Vermaelen, myself and Toby Alderweireld who are around our 30s, when you should be at your best. I think we are now.

"This could be the year where we need to reward ourselves. We have had great compliments before and now everyone knows what we can do. With Kevin De Bruyne, Eden [Hazard] or all the other guys where we are at, we should reward ourselves.

"You can ask 10 teams and they all want to win it. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, France. England are up there for me. To start, [the target is] the semi-finals, but you have to be lucky with the draw. The semi-finals are a realistic goal, and then hopefully more."

Belgium, who have been drawn alongside England in the group stages, were one of only four teams to go through the European section of qualifying undefeated.

ID:321810: cacheID:321810:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2809:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kevin De Bruyne in action during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Leicester City on February 10, 2018
Read Next:
De Bruyne aiming for World Cup glory
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!