LOS ANGELES, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Belgium was left frustrated after a goalless draw with Iran in their FIFA World Cup Group G match here on Sunday.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia told the post-match press conference, "We lacked efficiency up front. We hit the target, but we didn't test the goalkeeper enough."
"Playing with ten men didn't help either. We've had matches like this before and usually scored at least three goals. That's part of a slow start to a World Cup. At times, we looked a bit hesitant," Garcia added.
The match was marked by some terrific saves from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and his Belgian counterpart Thibaut Courtois, with Belgium dominating possession but ending with 10 men after the dismissal of center-back Nathan Ngoy in the 66th minute.
"We expected to dominate and we did," Garcia said. "So tactically, in terms of the game plan, we played as we wanted to. The Iranian team were going to hit us hard on the breakaways and their set pieces are very good. We responded well but we could've done better - maybe we were a little naive. If you're not efficient, you can't score, and if you don't score, you can't win the match."
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku said, "We have to analyse what went wrong because we created so many chances without scoring, and that's frustrating."
Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said, "I'm very frustrated. I think the ball didn't roll for us in the last 30 metres. It was the type of game in which the ball is just not dropping for you, and everything goes well for them - and their goalkeeper had a brilliant game."
In the first round of Group G matches, Belgium was held 1-1 by Egypt, while Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand.
In the latest FIFA rankings released on June 11, Belgium sits ninth, Iran 20th, Egypt 29th and New Zealand 85th. New Zealand is the lowest-ranked team in the ongoing 48-team World Cup.
In Group G, the third round kicks off simultaneously on June 26. Belgium faces New Zealand in Vancouver, Canada, while Iran plays Egypt in Seattle, the United States.
"Obviously, we had hoped to start better and win all our matches - or at least one," Garcia admitted, adding, "We know exactly what result we'll need against New Zealand."
Lukaku noted, "It's a World Cup, it's the biggest tournament, the biggest stage. We don't want to go home. We want to go as far as possible, and we want to put ourselves in the greatest position. Let's go for it." ■
