Football · Tubize, Izmir, and Brussels
Van Bommel names Kongolo and Cuypers for first caps as De Winter declines Belgium call
Cuypers, 29, and Kongolo, 20, were named Friday in Tubize for Nations League matches in Turkey and against Italy. Koni De Winter, who has eight caps, did not make himself available.
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In brief
Josué Kongolo, 20, of Racing Genk and Hugo Cuypers, 29, of Monterrey receive their first senior call-ups for the matches on 12 and 15 November.
The 24-year-old AC Milan defender, who has eight caps, did not play a minute at last summer's World Cup or in the first four matches under van Bommel.
Romelu Lukaku has a yellow card, so a second booking in Turkey would rule him out of the Italy match, prompting the call for Cuypers.
After four matches Belgium have six points, behind France on 10 points, with Italy one point ahead and Turkey on zero points.
- 6 NovVan Bommel names a 26-player squad in Tubize
- 12 NovBelgium play Turkey away in Izmir
- 15 NovBelgium host Italy at King Baudouin Stadium
A first call-up for two new faces
Mark van Bommel unveiled a 26-player Belgium squad on Friday, 6 November, in Tubize, for Nations League matches against Turkey and Italy. Josué Kongolo and Hugo Cuypers are the two first-time call-ups. Kongolo, 20, is a defender with Racing Genk, where he has started all ten of his matches, scoring twice. He was moved up from the national youth side after the last international window. Cuypers, 29, joined Monterrey in Mexico this summer and has scored six goals in 13 league matches. He was preferred to younger options Lucas Stassin and Norman Bassette. Van Bommel said the staff had watched all of Cuypers's matches, including those played in the United States, despite the time difference.
Why Cuypers, and why now
Romelu Lukaku has a yellow card and faces a suspension risk. If he is booked in Turkey, he would miss the match against Italy, which is why the staff wanted an extra striker. Van Bommel said he simply wanted to give Cuypers a chance. He added that the long trip from Mexico was no reason to leave him out.
De Winter's refusal
Koni De Winter, 24, a defender with AC Milan, is absent because he declined to be available, according to van Bommel. He had not played a minute at last summer's World Cup or in the first four matches under van Bommel. His last cap came in June, in a 2-0 win over Croatia, and he then watched eleven consecutive matches, two of them from the stand rather than the bench. Van Bommel acknowledged the consequences of the refusal.
“This of course has consequences in the long term, because we always work ahead.”
Van Bommel said the decision was De Winter's own and that there is no problem between the two of them. He also said the 24-year-old had decided quite early not to be selected.
Replacements and options
Zeno Debast is injured and misses out, while Jeremy Doku returns after an injury. Van Bommel also considered Jorne Spileers, a regular starter at Club Brugge, and his club teammate Matte Smets before choosing Kongolo. Van Bommel explained the choice in terms of positions.
“Josué has the advantage that he can play centrally in defence in both positions.”
Group A1 and the fixtures
After four matches, Belgium have six points and sit third in Group A1. France lead with 10 points, Italy are second with one point more than Belgium, and Turkey are fourth without a point. Belgium play away in Izmir on Thursday, 12 November, and host Italy at King Baudouin Stadium on Sunday, 15 November.
The top two teams in each of the four League A groups reach the quarter-finals. The two best third-placed teams keep their League A place, while the other two play play-off matches against the two best fourth-placed teams. The last two fourth-placed teams are relegated to League B.
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Sources and context
- La Libre.beRed Devils - Kongolo and Cuypers called up for the first time, Koni De Winter refuses his selectionDiables Rouges - Kongolo et Cuypers appelés pour la première fois, Koni De Winter refuse sa sélection · original in French
- RTBFCuypers' sense of goal, De Winter's refusal and Kongolo's potential: van Bommel explains the selection of the new DevilsLe sens du but de Cuypers, le refus de De Winter et le potentiel de Kongolo : van Bommel explique la sélection des nouveaux Diables · original in French
- 7sur7“It is he who made the decision”: Has Koni De Winter already permanently turned his back on the Red Devils?C'est lui qui a pris la décision": Koni De Winter a-t-il déjà définitivement tourné le dos aux Diables Rouges? · original in French
- TelegraafMark van Bommel faces selection refusal at Belgium: “This has long-term consequences”Mark van Bommel krijgt bij België te maken met selectieweigering: 'Dit heeft op de lange termijn gevolgen' · original in Dutch
- Mark van Bommel
- Belgium national football team head coach who named the squad
- Hugo Cuypers
- Monterrey forward called up to the Belgium senior team for the first time
- Koni De Winter
- AC Milan defender who declined selection for the Belgium squad
- Romelu Lukaku
- Belgium striker who has a yellow card and faces a suspension risk
- Jeremy Doku
- Belgium winger returning to the squad after injury
- Zeno Debast
- Belgium defender ruled out by injury
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