Belgium winger Jeremy Doku deserves more support at the World Cup if he is to prove decisive for his country, teammate Dodi Lukebakio said on Saturday. Doku, 24, had been tipped as a potential talisman for Belgium before the tournament but has been largely ineffective despite the team's progress to the last 16, where they will face co-hosts the United States in Seattle on Monday.
Doku's struggles and off-field challenges
Doku was substituted in the last group match against Senegal, along with Kevin De Bruyne, when Belgium trailed 2-0. The changes sparked an improbable 3-2 comeback victory in the last minute of extra time. Lukebakio highlighted personal difficulties affecting Doku. “Jeremy is like a brother to me. It’s understandable that things have been difficult for him so far,” Lukebakio told a press conference. “He became a father, and he was also very ill. I know how ambitious he is and how hard he works.”
Call for more backing
Lukebakio stressed that Doku needs greater support from everyone. “Jeremy is a very good player. I think he deserves more support from everyone because when he’s fit and playing well, you all know how much damage he can do to the opposition.” Doku missed Belgium’s second group game against Iran to fly to London for the birth of his first child but started the other three matches at the tournament.
Previous meeting with USA
Lukebakio delivered a convincing performance when Belgium last met the US in a friendly in Atlanta in March, scoring the last two goals in a 5-2 triumph. However, he cautioned that the upcoming match will be different. “But they’re a completely different team now,” the winger said. “At a World Cup, everything is different, and this time they’ll certainly have all of their fans behind them. It’ll be a 50-50 contest.”
