Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Mar 31, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Israel Israel
0-1
Belgium

FT(HT: 0-1)

Felliani (9')
Kompany (64')

Marc Wilmots full of praise for 10-man Belgium response

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter

Published: April 1 2015 | 06:15

Last updated: April 2 2015 | 16:59

Belgium boss Marc Wilmots insists that he has "great respect" for Vincent Kompany, after seeing his skipper dismissed in the 1-0 win over Israel on Tuesday night.

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has praised his players for the way they responded to going a man down during Tuesday night's victory over Israel.

Vincent Kompany picked up two yellow cards in the Euro 2016 qualifier at Teddy Stadium to leave the Red Dragons hanging on to a slender 1-0 advantage, but in the end Marouane Fellaini's early strike proved to be enough.

It means successive home defeats for Israel in Group B following a 3-0 reverse against Wales last weekend, while Belgium have recovered from a slow start to their campaign to climb to the top of the standings.

"I couldn't see why Vincent Kompany got the second yellow card but as a [former] player I have great respect for him," Wilmots is quoted as saying by Goal.com "Everyone continued to work and did most back for the score. The players responded well, the team was very supportive.

"It is hard for Israel after starting the campaign with nine points out of nine and then losing two home games. It must be hard but we came ready to win the game and I believe that it wasn't luck why we won."

Belgium, who have taken 11 points from their first five games, come up against fellow unbeaten side Wales in their next outing.