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Jan Vertonghen: 'Belgium aiming for World Cup semi-finals'

Vertonghen: 'Belgium aiming for semis'
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Belgium centre-back Jan Vertonghen reveals that his side are aiming to reach at least the semi-finals of this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen has revealed that his side have set themselves a target of reaching at least the semi-finals at this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Belgium have only ever reached the last four of the competition once before, but the current crop of players are widely considered to be the country's greatest ever and they will go into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Vertonghen admitted that this could be their best and last chance of crowning their 'golden generation', and believes that making it to the semis is a "realistic" target for Roberto Martinez's side.

"You speak about that peak here at Tottenham and it is even more so at Belgium, especially defensively," Vertonghen told reporters.

"I am one of the youngest! We have players like [Vincent] Kompany, [Thomas] Vermaelen, myself and Toby Alderweireld who are around our 30s, when you should be at your best. I think we are now.

"This could be the year where we need to reward ourselves. We have had great compliments before and now everyone knows what we can do. With Kevin De Bruyne, Eden [Hazard] or all the other guys where we are at, we should reward ourselves.

"You can ask 10 teams and they all want to win it. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, France. England are up there for me. To start, [the target is] the semi-finals, but you have to be lucky with the draw. The semi-finals are a realistic goal, and then hopefully more."

Belgium, who have been drawn alongside England in the group stages, were one of only four teams to go through the European section of qualifying undefeated.

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