14 May,2014 08:28 AM IST | | AFP
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots on Tuesday unveiled a 24-strong World Cup squad that included young talents Adnan Januzaj and Divock Origi.
Brussels: Belgium coach Marc Wilmots on Tuesday unveiled a 24-strong World Cup squad that included young talents Adnan Januzaj and Divock Origi.
Wilmots called up 20 outfield players and four goalkeepers given the injury to Hoffenheim stop-shotter Koen Casteels.
Casteels sustained a fractured tibia but could be fit for the June 12-July 13 tournament in Brazil, with Anderlecht's Silvio Proto lined up as the number three goalkeeper should the former not make it.
Uncapped Lille striker Divock Origi, 19, is the surprise call-up by Wilmots, who said the teenager would be best to replace the injured Christian Benteke, while Manchester United's Januzaj is also included.
The most notable absentees are Bruges' Timmy Simons and Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, although the latter is included on a six-strong stand-by list.
Belgium have been drawn in Group H along with Algeria, Russia and South Korea, and kick off their World Cup campaign in Belo Horizonte on June 17 against the north Africans.
Squad
Goalkeepers (4): Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool/ENG), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim/GER), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht)
Defenders (8): Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich/GER), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City/ENG), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham/ENG), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal/ENG), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St-Petersburg/RUS), Laurent Ciman (Standard)
Midfielders (6): Axel Witsel (Zenit St-Petersburg/RUS), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United/ENG), Steven Defour (Porto/POR), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham/ENG), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham/ENG), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg/GER)
Frowards (6): Romelu Lukaku (Everton/ENG), Divock Origi (Lille/FRA), Eden Hazard (Chelsea/ENG), Kevin Mirallas (Everton/ENG), Dries Mertens (Napoli/ITA), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United/ENG)
Stand-by
Sebastien Pocognoli (Hanover/GER), Thorgan Hazard (Zulte Waregem), Michy Batshuayi (Standard Liege), Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht), Jelle Van Damme (Standard Liege), Radja Nainggolan (Roma/ITA)
