Belgium head into today’s World Cup Group H clash with Russia at the Maracana stadium with a worry over the fitness of skipper Vincent Kompany.
Kompany missed training for the second straight day on Friday while he gets attention to a groin strain picked up late in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Algeria.
“Vincent felt something in the final few minutes and was not able to sprint 100 per cent,” said Belgium coach Marc Wilmots.
“He hoped that resting it overnight would resolve the problem, but it wasn’t the case and on Wednesday morning he still had pain in the left groin.
“We decided he would work alone from the rest of the squad for two days with the physiotherapist Lieven Maesschalk and the medical staff. All being well, he will be back training with the rest of the squad and fit for the match.”
Kompany’s importance to the team goes well beyond his accomplished performances at centre-half, given he is the well-established leader and defensive organiser.
Should the Manchester City defender not make it then Wilmots would have to turn to Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Ciman or Nicolas Lombaerts as cover.
Russia drew 1-1 with South Korea in their opening game and coach Fabio Capello is likely to stick with goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev despite his blunder in that game.
Akinfeev let a long range Lee Keun-ho shot slip through his body to gift the lead to the Koreans.
“Just like some players can miss penalties it can happen that a keeper makes a mistake as well,” said Capello.
“You can accept a mistake from a great keeper like Akinfeev. It turned out fine as we were able to make up the difference,” he said.
Capello said he hoped to see his side pick up where they left off with their second half performance against the Koreans.
“The way our team played at the end of the second half was the best possible birthday present they could have given me.
“This team has the willpower, they can play at the top level. At half-time I asked the players to act more confidently and show their best qualities. The players followed my words, that’s the most important thing,” Capello said.
Porto Alegre clash
In the other crucial Group H match tonight, Algeria will hope the offensive floodgates have opened against a leaky South Korea at Porto Alegre’s Beira Rio stadium.
Back in the World Cup for the fourth time, the ‘Desert Foxes’ have never made it past the first round and will need a result against the Koreans if they are to extend their stay in Brazil.
The only Arab nation present at the tournament, the Algerians arrive at this gritty port city believing a place in the last 16 is within their reach after going down 2-1 to the highly-rated Belgium.
South Korea also see the contest as a must-win with Belgium looming on the horizon.
Coach Hong Myung-bo, the elegant sweeper who led Korea to the 2002 semi-finals, will want to see a better effort defensively but is also considering his attacking options.
A team that plays with plenty of offensive flair and ambition Hong could keep Park Chu-young as his main striker against Algeria or bring in Kim Shin-wook or Lee Keun-ho, a sergeant serving in the South Korean military who earns less than $150 per month.
Key statistics
• Though only playing in their first finals since 2002, Belgium came to the tournament as bookmakers’ fifth favourites behind Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain.
• Belgium coach Marc Wilmots is his country’s all-time top scorer at the WCup with five goals. The former midfielder’s last strike came against Russia in a 3-2 win in 2002.
Previous meetings
• The pair have met eight times, including matches involving the Soviet Union. Russia lead the series 4-3, with one match drawn.
• This is their fifth meeting at the World Cup, where each side has claimed two wins apiece.
• The first two meetings were won by Russia, 4-1 in the group round in 1970 and 1-0 in the second round in 1982. The Belgians clinched the next two matches, 4-3 in the Round of 16 in 1986 and 3-2 in the opening round of the 2002 edition.