Belgium hoping for more of the same

30 March 2015 11:01

Belgium are in bullish mood as they head to Jerusalem to face Israel with top spot in Group B of the Euro 2016 qualifiers on the line.

Israel sit second in the group, two points behind Wales, while Belgium are a further point back but would go above Wales on goal difference after the two sides drew 0-0 in November.

But while Israel go into the match, rearranged from its original date in September over security concerns, on the back of a 3-0 loss to Wales - their first defeat of the qualifying campaign so far - Belgium arrive undefeated, having routed Cyprus 5-0 on Saturday.

Coach Marc Wilmots is hoping to bottle that performance and repeat it in Israel.

"We will not change our philosophy to face Israel," he said after the Cyprus match. "We will be well ordered and well organised.

"We are second in the group and we are coming back. We have to win and nothing else."

That attitude stands in stark contrast to the one coming from Israel, who were no match for Gareth Bale and Wales on Saturday.

"We won't be disappointed with a draw," midfielder Bebras Natkho told uefa.com of the Belgium clash.

Israel's veteran defender Tal Ben Haim turns 33 on the day of the match but, three days after facing Bale, the Charlton man gets a match-up against Christian Benteke and Eden Hazard as a birthday present.

Source: PA