Do you know which team is FIFA number 1 in football ranking? Not Brazil the most favourite team, not France the current world champions, not Germany the most successful team in men's football.... it's a new team at top- Belgium.
Ever since introduction of Ranking in 1992, only 8 teams have attained that position ever - Italy, Brazil, Germany , Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Argentina. Brazil have spent longest time as number 1. Belgium and Holland are the only teams to reach that high, without winning world cup.
Out of 21 World Cup tournaments, Belgium were part of 13 , first in 1930. Their previous best was 4th place finish in 1986. They saw a decline after 2002, when they failed to qualify for 2006, 2010 world cups.
They started showing strength at the start of this decade. Their Golden generation were getting notice then. Thibault Courtois was selected as Belgian Goal Keeper of the year in 2011, when he was just 19 years old. Eden Hazard was in French Club Lille and was key in their crowning after 54 years in Ligue 1 in 2009. He was just 20 years old and became first ever player from outside France to become Player of the year. He continued his performance in 2010 and 2011 and recieved award 2 more times. Vincent Kompany had already gained a place in Manchester City. Jan Vertonghen was an inevitable part of Tottenham Hotspur. Witsel and Lukaku were making name by then at the age of 19. Kevin De Bruyn was also in limelight. He was considered as a future great creative midfielder , by scoring and creating chances. Fellaini was another midfielder with great potential. You must be knowing Dries Mertens for sure. Mousa Dembele, Chadli, Benteke are other prominent players of current Belgian squad.
Their plan was "Back to Basics" (India's current slogan is "learn from past") they wanted to produce quality players to lift the standard of their league and therer by improving football in the country instead of buying big players. Also, they thought those players would bring income to local Belgian clubs when they sell/transfer. It worked.
Along with their no 1 ranking, world is now discussing their swift counter attack goal against Japan in 2018 world cup, which came just in 13 seconds, after a Japan corner, at the injury time of second round.
Belgium were group leaders ahead of England in first round, scoring 9 goals and conceding just 2. But in second round, Japan looked going ahead when they took 2-0 lead. Belgium showed real strength by scoring 2 goals before 90 minutes. 94 th min winner and heart breaker for Japan was beyond words and imagination of anyone. It was a complete team goal, only possible to create with a long long time playing together experience and coordination. In quarter finals, they beat Brazil in a thriller. But, France beat them 1-0 , with a parking bus strategy. Courtois said after match "It was better to lose to Brazil, they were better opponents". In the third place match, Belgium beat England second time in the tournament.
All believe, they were a team that could have lifted the ultimate trophy of Football World.
Courtois and Hazard were awarded Golden glove and Silver ball respectively in 2018.
Royal Belgian Football Association manages football in Belgium. It was a founding member of FIFA (1904) and UEFA(1954). League system have 6 divisions, starting from First Division A to Provincial Leagues. Club Brugge are the current champions in top division. Also there are women leagues and cup tournaments.
By,
Vineeth Pankajan
Please watch support and subscribe our Football team channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2q2QllTU1FIkRV6c7qMKUQ
Ever since introduction of Ranking in 1992, only 8 teams have attained that position ever - Italy, Brazil, Germany , Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Argentina. Brazil have spent longest time as number 1. Belgium and Holland are the only teams to reach that high, without winning world cup.
Out of 21 World Cup tournaments, Belgium were part of 13 , first in 1930. Their previous best was 4th place finish in 1986. They saw a decline after 2002, when they failed to qualify for 2006, 2010 world cups.
They started showing strength at the start of this decade. Their Golden generation were getting notice then. Thibault Courtois was selected as Belgian Goal Keeper of the year in 2011, when he was just 19 years old. Eden Hazard was in French Club Lille and was key in their crowning after 54 years in Ligue 1 in 2009. He was just 20 years old and became first ever player from outside France to become Player of the year. He continued his performance in 2010 and 2011 and recieved award 2 more times. Vincent Kompany had already gained a place in Manchester City. Jan Vertonghen was an inevitable part of Tottenham Hotspur. Witsel and Lukaku were making name by then at the age of 19. Kevin De Bruyn was also in limelight. He was considered as a future great creative midfielder , by scoring and creating chances. Fellaini was another midfielder with great potential. You must be knowing Dries Mertens for sure. Mousa Dembele, Chadli, Benteke are other prominent players of current Belgian squad.
Their plan was "Back to Basics" (India's current slogan is "learn from past") they wanted to produce quality players to lift the standard of their league and therer by improving football in the country instead of buying big players. Also, they thought those players would bring income to local Belgian clubs when they sell/transfer. It worked.
Along with their no 1 ranking, world is now discussing their swift counter attack goal against Japan in 2018 world cup, which came just in 13 seconds, after a Japan corner, at the injury time of second round.
Belgium were group leaders ahead of England in first round, scoring 9 goals and conceding just 2. But in second round, Japan looked going ahead when they took 2-0 lead. Belgium showed real strength by scoring 2 goals before 90 minutes. 94 th min winner and heart breaker for Japan was beyond words and imagination of anyone. It was a complete team goal, only possible to create with a long long time playing together experience and coordination. In quarter finals, they beat Brazil in a thriller. But, France beat them 1-0 , with a parking bus strategy. Courtois said after match "It was better to lose to Brazil, they were better opponents". In the third place match, Belgium beat England second time in the tournament.
All believe, they were a team that could have lifted the ultimate trophy of Football World.
Courtois and Hazard were awarded Golden glove and Silver ball respectively in 2018.
Royal Belgian Football Association manages football in Belgium. It was a founding member of FIFA (1904) and UEFA(1954). League system have 6 divisions, starting from First Division A to Provincial Leagues. Club Brugge are the current champions in top division. Also there are women leagues and cup tournaments.
By,
Vineeth Pankajan
Please watch support and subscribe our Football team channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2q2QllTU1FIkRV6c7qMKUQ
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