RENTON, Wash. (AP) 鈥� Belgium forward J茅r茅my Doku was expected to rejoin the team at its training facility on Tuesday .
Doku missed on Sunday because of a respiratory illness, but was cleared to fly to London so he could be with his wife. Ahead of Tuesday’s training session, center back Arthur Theate said Doku would join the team, but he was not present for the portion of practice that was open to the media. Doku missed training on Monday.
鈥淲e are very happy to have him (back), of course,鈥� Theate said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 an important player, important part of the group, also, in terms of everything. So, I hope he can help us the best way for the next game.鈥�
Belgium plays New Zealand on Friday at BC Place, a match that could determine whether the Red Devils advance into the knockout round. Belgium played to draws in each of its first two games.
On Tuesday, Doku posted on social media about his appreciation for the kind messages he and his family have received over the past few days.
鈥淪hireen and Praise are doing great, and my heart is full of gratitude,鈥� Doku said. 鈥淲elcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Thank you to the team for the support, now it鈥檚 time to get back to football and represent my country on the biggest stage.鈥�
Doku’s absence prompted a French commentator, France Pierron, to criticize the player鈥檚 intention to leave the for the birth. French sports daily L鈥橢quipe apologized to Doku and said Pierron’s comments did not represent its values. She described childbirth as 鈥渁 disgusting moment, excuse me, where the dad is useless鈥� during an appearance on the television show 鈥淟鈥橢quipe de Choc鈥� on Friday.
On Monday, Belgium captain Youri Tielemans shared his support for Doku, and said he and other players congratulated him.
鈥淚 think having a child is the most beautiful thing in the world that you can have, and being there, it鈥檚 more than normal as a dad, as a mom, obviously,鈥� Tielemans said. 鈥淏ut yeah, being there as a dad, for myself, I have three and it鈥檚 memories you can鈥檛 take back. So, yeah, very happy for him.鈥�
Unexpected absences
Neither center back Brandon Mechele nor forward Leandro Trossard were present for the portion of Tuesday鈥檚 practice that was open to the media. It is unclear why either player was sidelined.
Both Mechele and Trossard played a full 90 minutes in each of Belgium’s first two World Cup matches.
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