Belgium have not been good enough in World Cup qualifiers, says Jeremy Doku
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Belgium's Jeremy Doku in action (right) against Kazakhstan's Bagdat Kairov during the match on Nov 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Belgium drew 1-1 with Kazakhstan, delaying their World Cup 2026 qualification, frustrating winger Jeremy Doku.
- Doku criticised Belgium's "lack of efficiency" and insufficient analysis, saying "everyone needs to do better."
- Despite missing key players, Doku insists Belgium "have to be able to win games like this" to be competitive at the World Cup.
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ASTANA - A disappointed Jeremy Doku said Belgium have not been good enough in most of their World Cup qualifiers, even though they have the routine task of needing to beat tiny Liechtenstein at home on Nov 18 to secure a berth at the 2026 finals.
Belgium could have booked their place on Nov 15 with an away win in Kazakhstan but played out a 1-1 draw to delay confirming their qualification.
Doku, who was one of Belgium’s better players, was particularly critical of his own team’s showing.
“It’s a lack of efficiency. We didn’t win against Kazakhstan, so we absolutely can’t be satisfied,” he said.
“We’ve already dropped too many points because we weren’t good enough in a large number of matches. Our campaign hasn’t gone well, no. Everyone needs to do better. The coach, me, everyone.”
The winger suggested the Belgians had got their approach to the match at the Astana Arena wrong.
“We looked at this team and thought they’d play long, but then they played short and started playing football,” the 23-year-old said.
“It was a completely different match to when we played them last time. Maybe we didn’t analyse our opponent enough. It doesn’t matter. We just have to finish our chances and then we’ll be done with the permutations.”
Doku was also asked by Belgian VTM television whether the absence of players like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku was a valid excuse.
He shook his head and said: “Kevin, Romelu, Thibaut... if we need them to win against Kazakhstan, then we can’t do anything at the World Cup. I think if we want to be significant at the World Cup, we have to be able to win games like this.”
Belgium sit two points clear at the top of Group J, and should qualify for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the US in Liege on Nov 18 against the tiny principality. REUTERS
