Ahead of their last-16 clash in Toulouse on Sunday, Hungary and Belgium UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
HUNGARY – Viktor Jemeljanov (Chief Representative, Dubai)
The surprises just keep coming. Everyone thought Hungary would finally come unstuck against Portugal but actually we should have won the game! Still, we finished top of Group F, much to everyone’s shock, and now face Belgium – a team that most people are again expecting to beat us.
Bernd Strock has quite simply done an outstanding job so far, showing remarkable tactical acumen in all three of our group games – he is a Hungarian hero and Budapest had never previously seen such a mass celebration like those that have followed all of our group games.
Belgium will be Hungary’s toughest opponent so far, of that I have no doubt. Their team seems well organised and there is plenty of pace throughout the side. Despite their excellent individual players and status as favourites however, Hungary have every reason to be optimistic. We have played world class football so far and if we do so again, we will be heading into the quarter-finals!
PREDICTION: Hungary 2-1 Belgium
LIKELY HUNGARY XI: Kiraly, Lang, Guzmics, Juhasz, Kadar, Kleinheisler, Gera, Nagy, Stieber, Dzsudzsak, Nemeth.
HUNGARY PLAYER TO WATCH: Laszlo Kleinheisler – The Werder Bremen midfielder has been one of our most consistent players and always looks dangerous when he has possession. Although he hasn’t scored yet he is certainly capable of scoring a goal, particularly from long range.
BELGIUM PLAYER TO FEAR: Romelu Lukaku – A fast and determined forward, he is physical and will be difficult for our defenders to mark. When he receives a good pass, Lukaku can score even when he has two or three defenders around him, such is his impressive finishing ability.
WHERE TO WATCH: ON42 at the Media One Hotel has been great so far, and a good luck charm!
BELGIUM – Herwig Devolder (Freight Forwarder, Dubai)
Our final group game was definitely not one to watch if you have heart trouble – after losing to Italy in the first match we could have found ourselves out of the competition had we not got a result against Sweden, but fortunately Belgium scraped a 1-0 win to go through as runners-up to the Azzurri.
After thrashing Ireland there was hope that the players had finally clicked but the performance was not good against Sweden. There is just no consistency in the way we play, and our inability to finish counter attacks is infuriating – as is our poor defending. Overall, we have been a bit lucky to make it this far and we will really need to increase our level if Belgium are to be playing in the quarter-finals. We need to be more effective in the final third and learn to kill off games.
Hungary have definitely surprised me, and probably everyone for that matter, so far. Drawing 3-3 against Portugal shows that Hungary is an opponent to fear and we will need 100 percent focus to progress. We drew 1-1 with Hungary when we faced them at the 1982 World Cup but I am hopeful that this time we can win outright.
PREDICTION: Hungary 1-2 Belgium
LIKELY BELGIUM XI: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Witsel, Dembele; Carrasco, Hazard, De Bruyne; Lukaku
BELGIUM PLAYER TO WATCH: Thomas Meunier – It may seem strange to pick our right-back but he’s been one of the few players who have looked comfortable in France. He plays for Club Brugge in Belgium but has easily adapted to international football and should have earned himself a big move with his performance so far at Euro 2016.
HUNGARY PLAYER TO FEAR: Roland Juhasz – The Hungarian centre-back used to play with our striker Romelu Lukaku at Anderlecht so will know the best way to stop him. Juhasz is also very dangerous from free kicks and corners, his aerial threat something that Belgium will need to monitor carefully.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Belgian Beer Café Souk Madinat has great Belgian atmosphere, beer and food.
