Belgium's young guns set to dazzle

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Belgium's young guns set to dazzle

MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP

Belgium's vibrant young team are preparing to launch their World Cup campaign against Algeria on Tuesday with competition hotting up on the training pitch ahead of the Group H clash.

Seen as dark horses to lift the trophy, the richly talented squad is blessed with players such as Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, powerful striker Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany.

Belgium have not appeared at a major international championships since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea but they impressed in qualifying and will fancy their chances of matching their semi-final showing in Mexico in 1986.

The sole survivor from their 2002 campaign is veteran defender Daniel van Buyten, who said there were some feisty tackles flying in during the team's training sessions in the build-up to their match in Belo Horizonte.

"We usually train lightly before important matches so players hit their peak at the right time," said the Bayern Munich player. "But the duels on the training pitch have become more full-blooded."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-16