Young Devils fight for victory despite weak first half

The Young Eagles secured an important Euro qualification win against White Russia (1-0), but were barely convincing; Arthur Vermeeren literally got a push on the back to seal the victory.

Few chances in the first half

An optimist would say: the Young Eagles gave nothing away in the first half against White Russia. A realist, however, noted that Gill Swerts' team also created very little. By halftime no ball had been kicked between the posts – not a single shot.

The opponent, a team with a total market value of €5.5 million, is worth less than Samuel Mbangula alone. Numbers don’t tell everything, but they say a lot.

Pressure in the second half and decisive penalty

Mbangula, who this season is loaned by Werder Bremen to Bologna, was the most active Devil in the first half and came close to the frame twice, first after a cross from Union wing‑back Denzel De Roeve, then with a free kick on the edge of the six‑yard box.

After the break Swerts became more active as coach, urging his players to get the ball forward more quickly. With Romeo Vermant and Norman Bassette as strikers he had two attacking options.

Georgiy Kukushkin received a second yellow card and had to leave the field, meaning the Young Eagles played with a man advantage for another half hour. Five minutes later Bassette was knocked down by a White‑Russian defender, leading to a penalty. Bassette put the 1‑0 inside and the team remained in the lead in the qualification group.

The victory keeps the Young Eagles at the top of their Euro qualification group. On Tuesday Belgium will host Wales, a new test for Gill Swerts and his young squad.