Man City star Jeremy Doku makes thinly-veiled dig at boss with 'not good enough' message

Belgium missed a chance to qualify for the World Cup on Saturday by drawing 1-1 with Kazakhstan and Manchester City's Jeremy Doku vented his frustration after the game

Jeremy Doku has risked the wrath of Belgium manager Rudi Garcia after they missed an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. Doku, who's been electric for Manchester City of late, and his team-mates went into Saturday's trip to Kazakhstan knowing that a win would've guaranteed them a place at next summer's tournament in North America.

But Belgium could only manage a 1-1 draw, leaving it to the final matchday. Kazakhstan took a surprise lead in the ninth minute after Dastan Satpaev took advantage of an error to put the already-eliminated hosts ahead.

The Red Devils drew level shortly after half-time through Hans Vanaken but were unable to score a winner. Now Belgium must win their final qualifier at home to Liechtenstein in order to guarantee qualification, although draw would likely be enough, too.

But before Tuesday's fixture, some frank discussions are expected within Belgium's squad. That's if Doku's post-match comments are any indication, as the City winger suggested that Garcia didn't offer enough analysis of their opponents.

"We've already dropped too many points because we weren't good enough in a large number of matches," Doku told Belgian outlet Sporza. "Our campaign hasn't gone well, no. Everyone needs to do better. The coach, me, everyone."

The 23-year-old went on to say: "We looked at this team and thought they would play long, but then they played short and started playing football," the former Rennes star explained.

"It was a completely different match than last time. Maybe we didn't analyse our opponent enough."

Doku was asked if the absences of big-name players like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois were a valid excuse for the slip-up. Shaking his head, the former Rennes star responded: "Kevin, Romelu, Thibaut... If we need them to win against Kazakhstan, then we can't do anything at the World Cup."

Doku wasn't the only player to express their frustration after the full-time whistle. Defender Arthur Theate was unhappy with journalists for questioning Belgium's defence, having admitted that he was at fault for Kazakhstan's goal.

"I get the impression you're always questioning the defence," Theate said. "If you feel like it, go ahead. It's not that I disagree. But if you concede a goal, that's the problem. If you don't score, it's the attack's fault.

"Of course we shouldn't have conceded that goal, but we haven't conceded many goals this campaign. Agreed, conceding three goals at home against Wales wouldn't have been right.

"But otherwise, we weren't put in much danger. But you can judge for yourself. I just think we're having a good campaign defensively."

Belgium's defensive record stands at seven goals conceded after seven games. Liechtenstein haven't scored a single goal in qualification, so Garcia will be expecting a win and a clean sheet on Tuesday.

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