Belgium fans gear up for crucial match at BC Place

Your Morning Vancouver sits down with De Bemtvoort Supporters Group’s Michael and Yoshi to chat about their feelings going into tonight’s match.

Belgium fans have arrived in Vancouver for their matchup with New Zealand at BC Place Friday night, as both teams vie for a chance to move into the knockout stages.

Superfans Michael and Yoshi travelled from Europe to cheer on the Red Devils, and plan to stay in North America for as many games as their country remains in the World Cup.

“There’s a great vibe in the city. We see a lot of people, lots of flags,” Yoshi told CTV Your Morning Vancouver ahead of the game. “We’re all excited.”

Belgium—ranked 10^th by FIFA—is currently third in group G, and is yet to win a game this World Cup. They drew 1-1 in their first match against Egypt in Seattle and it was a 0-0 with Iran in Los Angeles. Belgium needs to at least draw against New Zealand Friday to move on, and 84^th-ranked New Zealand needs a win to make it through the group stage.

The supporters said the pressure is certainly on.

“If we lose, it’s over. We’re not supposed to lose, but still it can happen and it makes us nervous,” Michael said.

“Fans are putting pressure on the players. I hope that there will be a little changes to the team as well, because the previous games were not good,” he continued. “The quality is there, and we are supposed to even win the group, but so far we didn’t even win a game. So let’s hope the pressure is not too much, and we can get the victory tonight.”

The Belgian fan group in Vancouver is not large, but Yoshi and Michael say they always have fun and will be stationed at a bar Friday to sing and drink beer.

“We like the beers because we’re from Belgium,” Yoshi said. “We have some good ones but we like to try the local beers here as well. (They’re) not bad actually, I’m surprised.”