Belgium holds players’ meeting after poor start to World Cup
Associated PressDOHA, Qatar — Belgium’s squad held a meeting where players aired their “honest” views about how the team can salvage its World Cup campaign, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday. In it, De Bruyne was asked if Belgium can win the World Cup and he was quoted as saying: “No chance, we’re too old.” Against Canada, Belgium had six players in their 30s in the starting lineup, with four of them having accrued more than 100 international appearances. “We probably also attack badly because we are too old, that must be it now, surely?” Hazard said he had spoken to De Bruyne and that his long-time teammate “believes in us more than ever.” “Sometimes in an interview, you say funny things you don’t really mean,” Hazard said. I think Kevin is the first to have confidence in this group, otherwise he would not be here.” Hazard urged his team to play with “no fear” against Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runner-up.