Impact Saelemaekers started on the right wing in place of the absent Jeremy Doku in Sunday's goalless draw with Iran, registering two shots, one cross and one tackle across 58 minutes before being replaced by Dodi Lukebakio as coach Rudi Garcia made his triple substitution in search of a breakthrough. The winger contributed to Belgium's sustained pressure in the first half without creating any clear-cut opportunities of his own, and his defensive tracking work on Iran's counter-attacks helped maintain Belgium's shape against a side that was consistently dangerous on the transition. With Jeremy Doku's return for the New Zealand fixture uncertain, Saelemaekers has demonstrated he can be a reliable and disciplined wide option for this Belgium squad, though his replacement by the more direct Lukebakio suggested the coaching staff wanted more individual threat from the wide positions in the final third.
3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
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