The Belgians had a frustrating evening in Ghent’s Planet Group Arena. They had plenty of opportunities to take control of the match, but each time they ran into a solid North Macedonian defense. “It is not easy to dominate for 90 minutes and look for an opening against a team that defends with eleven men,” Vanaken explained to rights holder VTM. “We had chances to win the game, but the ball didn’t fall well.”
“They have an extra point and that is ultimately what they came for. We did everything we could to score that goal,” the Club Brugge midfielder continued. “With the opportunities we were given, the goal should actually have been scored and it is frustrating that this does not happen. Once you have scored the first goal, you can finish the match and there will be more space. It is a pity that the ball did not want to fall properly in the sixteen. It is sometimes details that decide a match.”
The loss of points against North Macedonia also brings extra pressure for next Monday’s match against Wales. “There must be at least a draw in Wales,” Vanaken himself emphasized. “We should have won this match to be in a really good position in the rankings, but that did not happen. There is now a little more pressure on Monday’s match, we have to deal with that.”