Belgium ready for surprise opponent Senegal in World Cup last 32, says Debast

Belgium is ready to face Senegal in the World Cup Round of 32, despite the opponent not being who they initially expected. The Red Devils secured the top spot in their group after a slow start, but their path now leads to a clash with the African champions.

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It was a bit of a weird feeling, but we know it's Senegal now and we have, I think, three days to prepare the game.

Defender Zeno Debast admitted a "weird feeling" upon realizing their next opponents would be Senegal, a team they hadn't anticipated facing. Belgium initially thought they would play South Korea until the final group matches shifted the standings. "It was a bit of a weird feeling, but we know it's Senegal now and we have, I think, three days to prepare the game," Debast told reporters.

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Senegal is a really good team, I think they have some good physical and tactical parts (to their game) and they won also the African cup.

Despite the surprise, Debast expressed confidence in Belgium's ability to perform. He acknowledged Senegal as a strong team with good physical and tactical attributes, noting their recent Africa Cup of Nations victory. "Senegal is a really good team, I think they have some good physical and tactical parts (to their game) and they won also the African cup," he said. "I think it will be a good game, knowing that we also have the qualities... if we are in good form and we continue in a positive way like our last game, I think it will be a very good game."

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I think it will be a good game, knowing that we also have the qualities ... if we are in good form and we continue in a positive way like our last game, I think it will be a very good game.

Debast himself is nearing a return to play after a leg injury. He confirmed that recent medical scans are positive and his recovery is progressing as planned. "It was positive, everything is going as planned so we are positive," he stated. "I feel good, today I can partially take part in the team training so, yeah, it's going good."

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It was positive, everything is going as planned so we are positive.