Belgium's Red Devils call up teens Januzaj and Origi
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, May 13, 2014
Januzaj, born and raised Brussels to parents that had emigrated from Kosovo, only opted to play for Belgium three weeks ago. He was also eligible to play for Kosovo, Serbia and Turkey. Origi is of Kenyan descent. Wilmots is high on both players, saying Januzaj can play in various positions in the attack and drafting Origi after star forward Christian Benteke tore his Achilles tendon.
Bayern Munich defender Daniel Van Buyten is the only holdover from Belgium's last appearance at the World Cup in 2002.
Wilmots, also a member of the 2002 team, will only have to drop one goalie from his squad that will enter training camp Monday in Genk. (Third-string keeper Koen Casteels broke his shin in early April.) The camp will conclude with a friendly against Luxembourg on May 26. The Red Devils will also play Sweden away and host Tunisia in Brussels before heading to Brazil, where they will face the USA in a closed-door scrimmage on June 12.
Belgium Roster (23 Players):
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atl. Madrid/SPA), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool/ENG), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim/GER), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atl. Madrid/SPA), Lauren Ciman (Standard Liege), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City/ENG), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich/GER), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal/ENG), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham/ENG).
Midfielders: Nacer Chadli (Tottenham/ENG), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg/GER), Steven Defour (Porto/POR), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham/ENG), Marouane Fellaini (Man. United/ENG), Axel Witsel (Zenit St. Petersburg/RUS).
Forwards: Eden Hazard (Chelsea/ENG), Adnan Januzaj (Man. United/ENG), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea/ENG), Dries Mertens (Napoli/ITA), Kevin Mirallas (Everton/ENG), Divock Origi (Lille/FRA).
