By DAN KARELL
Coming off a positive showing at the 2014 World Cup, Belgium looks to take a step further when they hit the road for the first time in UEFA Euro 2016 qualification.
The Red Devils crushed minnows Andorra, 6-0, in their opener, but face a fellow World Cup 2014 participant in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica. It will be a reunion for Belgium defender Vincent Kompany and Bosnia forward Edin Dzeko, teammates together at Manchester City, as well as a battle between some of the game’s top stars in Belgium’s Eden Hazard and Bosnia’s Miralem Pjanic.
Elsewhere in Euro 2016 qualifying, the Netherlands will attempt to return to winning ways when it visits Iceland, Italy hits the road to take on Malta, and Gareth Bale and Wales fly to Cyprus as they try to stay atop Group B.
In the evening, the Argentine Primera Division concludes Round 11 when Arsenal de Sarandi host Copa Libertadores champions San Lorenzo.
Here’s a look at Monday’s slate of games:
12 p.m. – ESPN3/ESPN Deportes – Kazakhstan vs. Czech Republic
2:45 p.m. – ESPN 2 – Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Belgium
2:45 p.m. – FOX Sports 1 – Iceland vs. Netherlands
2:45 p.m. – ESPN3/ESPN Deportes – Malta vs. Italy
2:45 p.m. – Fox Sports 2 – Cyprus vs. Wales
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus – Norway vs. Bulgaria
2:45 p.m. – ESPN3 – Croatia vs. Azerbaijan
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer 2Go – Andorra vs. Israel
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer 2Go – Latvia vs. Turkey
7:30 p.m. – Futbol Para Todos/Youtube – Arsenal de Sarandi vs. San Lorenzo
U23 down 1-0 in 65th minute
2-0 now. 73rd minute now.
Too bad. Guess that’s how it ended.
Thanks for the updates.
Just don’t understand why Euro-idiots continue to lump this Iceland team in with the minnows. They are in fine form again, currently leading the Dutch 2-0 in the 71st minute.
Not sure who you are referring to but perhaps it’s because Iceland has about 325k people and has never qualified for any major tournament.
Oh, I know all about Iceland. It’s one of two countries I’ve attended int’l matches in…lol.
I’ve always viewed the term “minnow” as referring to completely overmatched teams featuring mostly amateurs (Gibraltar, San Marino, etc.). Seems the European fans consider anyone outside FIFA’s top 20 to be a “minnow.” *eyeroll*
I see a lot of it on forums and social media. Mainly from people from the top-footballing nations who just can’t fathom that Iceland’s “golden generation” actually has some quality players and has been competing with and beating quality sides for 3+ years now.
With the expanded field, I pegged them to have the best chance of being an “outsider” that qualifies…was rather surprised others didn’t, given their WC qualifying run.
Iceland have been quite competitive during a few cycles over the last 20 years. It’s not a totally new thing.
Best soccer country per capita on Earth!