De Bruyne Allowed to Miss Belgium’s Next Nations League Game

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
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De Bruyne Allowed to Miss Belgium’s Next Nations League Game

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)

Kevin De Bruyne is one of three Belgium players given permission to go off early on holiday after their 1-1 draw with Wales on Saturday, coach Roberto Martinez said.

De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier have all been allowed to skip the last of this month's four Nations League A Group Four matches, which is away against Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday.

"De Bruyne has given enough, so has Carrasco," Martinez said. "Meunier played two games in quick succession after not playing for three months. We can't force anyone."

However, De Bruyne, who had been critical about having to play in the Nations League this month after a long season with Manchester City, said he would have been happy to continue.

"I have played three matches for almost 90 minutes. Physically I am okay and I would have liked to play the last game against Poland, but it is the decision of the coach," he told reporters.

De Bruyne leaves after Belgium let slip a lead in Cardiff and allowed Wales to equalize in the 86th minute.

"It is a pity about the late equalizer," added De Bruyne. "We were in command at the beginning of the second half, but then we forgot to play football. But with all the changes in the team, it was not the worst performance."

"We lacked rhythm and all the players were fatigued, having already played many matches."

Martinez fumed about Wales' late goal, scored by Brennan Johnson and initially flagged offside but then awarded after a lengthy VAR check.

"A shocking decision," said the Belgian coach, adding that VAR wrongly reversed the linesman's decision.

"The lines don't seem to be parallel, the assistant was completely correct. We were robbed," he told Belgium´s VTM television.



AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Finals to Kick Off Thursday in Saudi Arabia

AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Finals to Kick Off Thursday in Saudi Arabia
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AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Finals to Kick Off Thursday in Saudi Arabia

AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Finals to Kick Off Thursday in Saudi Arabia

The AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 will kick off next Thursday, bringing together 16 Asian teams competing in the cities of Jeddah and Taif.
According to SPA, the tournament’s opening match will see Uzbekistan face off against Thailand at Okaz Club Stadium in Taif at 6:00 PM.

Later that evening, the Saudi national team, which has won the championship twice in 1985 and 1988, will take on China at 8:15 PM at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif.
The competition will be played across four venues: King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City in Jeddah, as well as King Fahd Sports City and Okaz Club Stadium in Taif. This year’s edition introduces a new format, with the top eight teams earning a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be hosted by Qatar in November 2025.
The championship will feature four groups. Saudi Arabia, as the host nation, leads Group A alongside Uzbekistan, Thailand, and China. Group B consists of Japan, Australia, Vietnam, and the UAE. Group C includes Korea, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Group D brings together Iran, Tajikistan, Oman, and North Korea.