Doku Unavailable for Full Match After Illness and Family Arrival
Belgium’s winger Jeremy Doku faces limitations in his playing time for the impending Group G World Cup clash against New Zealand. Having recently recovered from an illness and just returned after attending the birth of his son, Doku is not expected to undertake the full 90 minutes of gameplay, according to head coach Rudi Garcia’s remarks on Thursday.
The 24-year-old followed up a performance in Belgium’s opening match, a 1-1 draw against Egypt, with an absence in their subsequent game, which ended goalless against Iran, due to breathing difficulties experienced during practice sessions. His absence earlier to witness the birth of his son, Praise, who entered the world on Monday, had sparked criticism from L’Equipe TV presenter France Pierron.
“Jeremy came back three days ago, so he only participated in practice today. He has been sidelined for seven days, which isn’t trivial,” Garcia conveyed to the media. The coach expressed gratitude for Doku’s return but acknowledged that he might not have enough stamina to last the entirety of the match while emphasizing the importance of team dynamics over individual contributions. “While it is fantastic to have him back, our performance is rooted in team cohesion; that’s the authentic strength of Belgium,” he added.
Striker Romelu Lukaku also finds himself in a similar predicament. In pursuit of his first World Cup goal, he too lacks the endurance for a full match, as confirmed by Garcia. “If Lukaku starts, he will be substituted at some point. If he begins on the bench, he can still provide support,” he noted, clarifying that Lukaku is fit to play.
Brandon Mechele, Belgium’s center-back, expressed elation for Doku’s personal news and emphasized the positive impact of his return on team morale. “It’s wonderful news for him and it was crucial for him to be there for his wife. Everyone is satisfied, and it gives us collectively a morale boost knowing he is back to aid the team,” Mechele stated.
As Belgium enters this match in a precarious position, presently ranked third in their group with just two points—a position unexpected for a team widely anticipated to dominate the group—they face a must-win scenario. Egypt leads the group with four points, while Iran sits just above Belgium based on goal difference. Meanwhile, New Zealand, still hunting for their inaugural World Cup win, occupy the bottom spot with a single point.
Mechele clarified the focus needed against New Zealand. “We must meet their intensity. If we achieve this, I foresee no issues for us.” He reflected on the previous match’s intensity levels, labeling it a wake-up call and affirming confidence in the team’s preparedness for the upcoming challenge.
