Belgium coach wary of Tunisian side ahead of World Cup clash

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said Tunisia’s unlucky defeat by his native Spain on Saturday proved the North Africans could be one of the surprises of the World Cup in Russia.

Belgium, third in the FIFA rankings, go into the World Cup as Group G favourites, facing Tunisia, England and Panama.

Tunisia are the first African team to arrive in Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. pic.twitter.com/CssyifQdTA

— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) 10 juin 2018

Asked about Tunisia’s 1-0 friendly defeat by Spain, Martinez said on Sunday:

“Yesterday, for me, they deserved to win the game… It was just a confirmation that Tunisia could be one of the surprises in the World Cup.”

Martinez stuck by his decision to name his final 23-man squad only 24 hours before the kick-off against Panama in Sochi, giving key defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen maximum time to prove their fitness.

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REUTERS