Jeremy Doku needs more support if he is to perform for Belgium, says teammate Dodi Lukebakio

SEATTLE – Belgium winger Jeremy Doku deserves more support at the World Cup if he is going to prove decisive for his country, teammate Dodi Lukebakio said on July 3.

Doku had been touted as a potential talisman for Belgium before the tournament but has been largely ineffective, despite their progress to the last 16, where they will meet co-hosts the United States in Seattle on July 6.

The 24-year-old Doku was taken off in the last game against Senegal, along with Kevin de Bruyne, when their team were trailing 2-0 and the change helped spark an improbable comeback with Belgium triumphing 3-2 in the last minute of extra time.

“Jeremy is like a brother to me. It’s understandable that things have been difficult for him so far,” Lukebakio told a press conference at the training base.

“He became a father and he was also very ill. I know how ambitious he is and how hard he works.

“Jeremy is a very good player. I think he deserves more support from everyone because when he’s fit and playing well, you all know how much damage he can do to the opposition.”

Doku missed Belgium’s second group game against Iran when he flew to London for the birth of his first child but did start the other three games at the tournament.

Lukebakio delivered a convincing performance when Belgium last met the US in a friendly in Atlanta in March, scoring the last two goals in a 5-2 triumph.

“But they’re a completely different team now,” the winger said. “At a World Cup, everything is different and this time they’ll certainly have all of their fans behind them. It’ll be a 50-50 contest.”

Defender Maxim de Cuyper agreed, saying: “The United States have grown into this World Cup. They have a lot of quality.

“We have to show courage on the pitch. When you’re playing in front of 80,000 supporters, you have to stick to your own game.”

The Red Devils have come under criticism for their performances in North America. They were second-best in their opening draw against Egypt before another stalemate against Iran. Only a 5-1 win against New Zealand secured their last-32 spot.

There, they were outplayed for most of the July 1 match by Senegal before the Africans somehow let the game slip late on.

Said de Cuyper: “We’ve escaped by the skin of our teeth a few times already at this World Cup. That’s why we’re still very hungry for more. If we can get through at least one more round, there will be much more satisfaction.

“The fact that things have sometimes been difficult at this World Cup is also down to the nature of the matches. At times you’re forced to play more on the counter-attack. But we believe in our qualities. There’s no reason for us to think otherwise.” REUTERS