WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Belgium Victory Means Bragging Rights : Group F: Preud’homme is unbeatable against Netherlands as Belgians clinch berth in second round with 1-0 victory.
This was the championship for their little corner of the world, so members of the Belgian and Dutch World Cup teams tossed caution aside like the little plastic water bags they threw on the grass of the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Although each team needed a victory to guarantee survival in Group F, they took the honorable route Saturday instead of plodding safely along to a tie. Playing with enough ferocity to suggest the Cup itself was at stake, they produced a game of brilliant one-on-one confrontations and a memorable 1-0 victory for Belgium, a match enjoyed as much by the players as by the sellout crowd of 62,387.
“ C’est magnifique ,” said Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme, his smile conveying his sentiments in case his meaning wasn’t clear.
So often the weaker partner in a geographic rivalry that began in 1905 but had never been pitted them against each other in the World Cup, Belgium claimed supremacy thanks to Preud’homme’s acrobatics and to a well-placed corner kick in the 65th minute.
The inward-swinging kick by Marc Degryse went to defender Georges Grun, who headed it to defender Philippe Albert. His left-footed shot snaked past Holland’s Jan Wouters, who had stationed himself near the left post to help goalkeeper Ed De Goey.
That proved enough to give Belgium only its 39th victory over Holland in 117 games (they have lost to Holland 53 times and tied 25). The last remaining doubt was erased when Preud’homme stopped two late challenges, including a shot by Marc Overmars in injury time that Preud’homme tipped off the crossbar.
“To beat a strong team like Holland, that’s very, very good. I am very, very happy,” said Paul Van Himst, Belgium’s coach. “If (the Dutch) are having a good day, it’s very difficult to defend against them.”
Said midfielder Franky Van der Elst: “I think in Belgium, they’re all going crazy now.”
The folks back home had much to celebrate, since Belgium (2-0) is leading the group and is assured of advancing to the round of 16. But no one had more reason to exult than Albert, who has faced more than his share of adversity in the last few months.
First, on March 8, came the knee injury, torn ligaments that jeopardized his place on the World Cup squad. Two days later, Albert, his wife and daughter were involved in a head-on car crash in the Belgian province of Brabant. Albert sustained some bruises, and his wife a neck injury.
He regained his spot on the roster but temporarily lost his spot in the lineup when he was ejected from Belgium’s last Cup qualifying game and suspended for its Cup opener against Morocco. From that disappointment came his resolve to rebound strongly Saturday.
“From my personal point of view, this was revenge because of all the terrible problems I have had recently,” he said. “There was the injury to my knee, and I worked very hard to get back.
“This was great for me. I played a good game and I didn’t get any (yellow cards). I feel like this was a personal victory that I conquered all these problems.”
Conquering the Dutch was a tough assignment too. Coach Dick Advocaat used four forwards in his lineup and their instructions were clear: attack.
Belgium--surprisingly for a team that relies on its defense--mounted frequent scoring threats, but the Dutch players’ individual skills had the crowd roaring. They created a dazzling series of scoring chances, including two dangerous free kicks in the first half by Ronald Koeman that sent Preud’homme diving to bat the ball down. Midfielder Frank Rijkaard dribbled around defenders several times, but no one could solve Preud’homme, who has yet to yield a goal in the tournament.
Holland (1-1) continued its salvos in the second half, but Preud’homme withstood every challenge. The Dutch, one of the pre-tournament favorites, now must defeat Morocco Wednesday to advance to the round of 16.
Belgium, content to assume a defensive posture last Sunday in its 1-0 victory over Morocco, was proud to prove it can play well at both ends of the field.
“We had a lot of chances, but so did they. It was really something to see, a good game for everybody, including the supporters,” forward Josip Weber said. “We beat them because we are better, eh?”
