VERTONGHEN: Belgium Not Scared Of Bale

image source: walesonline.co.uk

Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen says they will not be "scared" of Gareth Bale in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Wales in Brussels.

Vertonghen played with Bale at Tottenham before the forward joined Real Madrid for a world record £85.3m.

"He's one of the best in the world but you can't be scared playing against good players," said Vertonghen, 27.

"It's very difficult to mark him. Defenders can't mark him one-on-one, so we have to defend him as a team."

Wales manager Chris Coleman believes the Group B tie could be decided by which of Bale or Belgium's Eden Hazard performs best.

Vertonghen, who is expected to captain Belgium in Vincent Kompany's absence, could be given the task of marking 25-year-old Bale.

He added: "He's an unbelievable player. I'm looking forward to playing against him."

Belgium are favourites to finish top of the group, having reached the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals and climbed to fourth in the Fifa world rankings.

Wales are currently top of the group, one point ahead of Israel and three clear of Belgium.

"Wales are top of the group and they deserve to be there," said Vertonghen.

"Wales are in the position we were in for a couple of years. It's a nice position because no-one expects big things from you but you're able to do it.

"I expect Wales to have a very strong team in the next couple of years."

- BBC