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Manchester City star Vincent Kompany admits Belgium don't deserve to be at World Cup 2010
Les Diables Rouges must look to the future...
17 Mar 2010 14:41:00
By Zack Wilson
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has admitted he is disappointed to be missing the World Cup this summer after Belgium failed to qualify.
However, the versatile player acknoweldges that his nation did not do enough in qualifying to deserve a place in South Africa.
"I would have liked to be there but we didn't deserve to be there, so no regrets," he told City's official website.
"If you don't belong somewhere, that's how it is."
Belgium finished fourth at the 1986 Mexico World Cup, but their subsequent decline in world football has been a mark of how times have changed in football, according to Kompany.
"Times change. Back in the day, there wasn't so much money involved," he added.
"Small countries now can send their players over to England and Spain and they become better players. There's just so much more competition to get to the World Cup finals.
"The Belgian League used to be strong, our teams were winning in Europe, but not any more. And when you try to qualify you have to fight against teams that have players from top sides.
"A country like Belgium has been fortunate to always be able to achieve, but I don't think our position is shocking. I think we can start achieving more now.
"Looking to the future, we've got a much better team now and in the next few years we are going to be one of the good little countries in international football."
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However, the versatile player acknoweldges that his nation did not do enough in qualifying to deserve a place in South Africa.
"I would have liked to be there but we didn't deserve to be there, so no regrets," he told City's official website.
"If you don't belong somewhere, that's how it is."
Belgium finished fourth at the 1986 Mexico World Cup, but their subsequent decline in world football has been a mark of how times have changed in football, according to Kompany.
"Times change. Back in the day, there wasn't so much money involved," he added.
"Small countries now can send their players over to England and Spain and they become better players. There's just so much more competition to get to the World Cup finals.
"The Belgian League used to be strong, our teams were winning in Europe, but not any more. And when you try to qualify you have to fight against teams that have players from top sides.
"A country like Belgium has been fortunate to always be able to achieve, but I don't think our position is shocking. I think we can start achieving more now.
"Looking to the future, we've got a much better team now and in the next few years we are going to be one of the good little countries in international football."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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