FIFA World Cup 1st Knockout Round Preview

Belgium vs Japan

Belgium will be strong favorites in their fixture against Japan

It would not be wrong to say that so far Belgium have looked like the strongest side in the competition. They have won all three of their group fixtures and are the team to have scored the most number of goals (9) so far in the world cup, while having let in only 2.

Belgium have a world class talent in every position, be it the goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois or the defensive partnership of Alderweld and Verthogen or the midfield creativity of Hazard and de Bruyne or the power and finishing of Romelu Lukaku upfront. Its hard to point to any position and say that Belgium have a weakness in that position.

Belgium's win against a strong England team, has put to bed accusations that Panama Tunisia were easy wins.

Their opponents Japan have already out-performed expectations in extending their stay at the FIFA World Cup beyond the group fixtures.

The bulk of the Japanese squad plies its trade in European Club football and no doubt the star of the their unit is Shinji Kagawa.

Japan are a honest hard working side that have made up for the lack of quality at this level with sheer determination and hard work. They come to the Knockout rounds with a very impressive victory against a strong Colombia team under their belt.

Result - Belgium have a very strong squad and are among the favorites if not 'the' favorite to lift the world cup. Japan just don't have the squad to cause Belgium too many problems and this should be and easy win for Belgium.