Belgium vs Repubic of Ireland: Marc Wilmots bites back and basks in glory of comfortable win
The 47-year-old coach was heavily criticised following the opening defeat to Italy
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Your support makes all the difference.Belgium coach Marc Wilmots went on an extraordinary rant after Belgium beat Ireland in Bordeaux. He has faced intense criticism since the opening defeat to Italy and responded by basking in the joy of victory.
Wilmots’ team selection surprised the Belgian press and he told them with a smile: “I bluffed”.
Wilmots added: “The players were aware, we spoke privately about it. Our line-up surprised but it was the right line-up.
“We were not going to play defensively against Ireland or you would be sacking me all over again - don’t worry I am used to that. After four years of success when we get criticism it is like those last four years disappear, manipulating people, giving people the wrong idea.
“I live with criticism. Apart from death I don’t know what would affect me. I am 47 years old. I want to be healthy and to put the kids on the right path. I only want positive people. People who criticise are never going to have a good life."
Martin O’Neill, meanwhile, insisted his Republic of Ireland team can defeat Italy next week and remain in Euro 2016 after defeat in Bordeaux left them needing just three points to avoid another group stage exit. Ireland have only won three of their 21 matches in major competitions, the last against Saudi Arabia in the 2002 World Cup.
Italy have already qualified for the knock-out stages, two wins guaranteeing them top spot in Group E. That offers hope they may rest players in Lille next week and O’Neill said: “I think we are capable of breaking Italy down, and one chance might be enough.
“We have to win the game, that can be our only thought. We have to reappraise this match as quick as possible, then put it to the side, take confidence from the way we played two or three days ago against Sweden, and go and try and win a game I don’t think it will be as difficult as it maybe looks from here.”
O’Neill said he did not have a clear view of the incident early in the second half when Toby Alderweireld appeared to catch Shane Long in the penalty area with a raised boot. Belgium then broke and scored their opening goal and O’Neill added: “We were beaten by a better team but if we had been given the penalty and scored it would have changed the course of the game. I’ve not seen it but the players are adamant it was a penalty, that they then scored makes it doubly disappointing if that is the case.
“I’m disappointed because a few days ago against Sweden we played exceptionally well with the ball. Today we were too nervous, we give the ball away too readily. I hoped to rectify that at half-time, but then they broke for the first goal. We had to chase the game, we get stretched and fine players can punish you. That is what happened.”
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