Toby Alderweireld: Wales can qualify for Euros says Belgium star
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Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld challenges Wales forward Gareth Bale during their 0-0 draw in Brussels in November 2014
Euro 2016 qualifier: Wales v Belgium |
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Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Friday, 12 June Kick-off: 19:45 BST |
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and the BBC Sport website |
Belgium's Toby Alderweireld expects his country to top their Euro 2016 qualifying group but says rivals Wales can also reach the finals in France.
Belgium lead Group B, with Wales second on goal difference only, and the sides meet in Cardiff on 12 June.
Atletico Madrid defender Alderweireld says Belgium will respect Wales when they meet at Cardiff City Stadium.
"They have the quality to qualify, but we want to go through in first place," Alderweireld, 26, said.
"It's going to be difficult, they have good players and we are both first in the group."
Belgium have a squad full of famous names, including Chelsea's PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard and nine other Premier League players.
But Wales showed they can match Belgium by drawing 0-0 away to the Group B favourites in Brussels last November.
BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips |
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Chris Coleman and assistant Osian Roberts saw just why Belgium have climbed to second in the world rankings, largely outclassing France in a 4-3 friendly win in Paris. Their prowess at set pieces was crystal clear as Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini scored twice - the first from a half-cleared corner. At the other end their abundance of height helped ensure Thibaut Courtois had a quiet night. |
They have pace on the break, too, with captain Eden Hazard shrugging off the effects of Chelsea's post-season tour to be at the hub of all that was good - and he deftly tucked home a penalty. Stifling the Premier League Player of the Year will be essential. |
Yet hope remains. France had joy down both flanks, where Gareth Bale's duel with former Spurs team-mate Jan Vertonghen could be a key battle. Of course, Wales know what to expect and coped fine with their goalless draw in Brussels last November. But after this, Coleman will be under no illusions - the Group B leaders are devils who are full of fire. |
Chris Coleman's side also held Belgium to a 1-1 draw at the close of the World Cup qualification campaign in October 2013, thanks to Aaron Ramsey's late equaliser.
"They keep getting better and better every season, so I'm not surprised," said Alderweireld, who impressed on loan at Southampton last season and is wanted permanently at St Mary's, while Chelsea and Tottenham are also interested.
"Of course Gareth Bale is an exceptional player, but they have a lot of other good players like Ramsey and good quality at the back with Ashley Williams.
"It's going to be tough, especially away there. We have to be at our best to win but we are confident. "
Belgium prepared for the qualifier with a 4-3 friendly win over France on Sunday, while Wales opted for a five-day training camp.
Marc Wilmots' Belgium side reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and are currently second in Fifa's world rankings.
But they will be without captain Vincent Kompany for the game against Wales, with the Manchester City defender suspended following his red card against Israel.
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