Jeremy Doku had a game for the ages for Belgium as he scored a brilliant brace in their 6-0 win against Kazakhstan.
The 23-year-old looked like he was in the mood to impress, shimmying before slotting the ball into the top corner for his first goal while the winger’s second strike was an even better finish with his left foot.
Jeremy Doku is one of Belgium’s main men and as a result, it is essential for him to step up for Rudi Garcia’s side every time he crosses the white line.
However, Doku flattered to deceive against Liechtenstein as he could not provide a goal or an assist in his side’s 6-0 victory.
As a result, the Manchester City speedster would have been hungry to impress on Sunday and to his credit, he certainly did.
Belgium’s media pose Jeremy Doku questions despite his two goals vs Kazakhstan
Vincent Kompany advised Doku to score more goals and it seems like he has taken the City legend’s words on board by doing so for Belgium against Kazakhstan.
However, the Antwerp-born dribbler’s latest display still led to Belgium’s media pinpoint some of his flaws.
Despite their 8/10 match rating for the Premier League winner, Walfoot noted that it was “annoying” to see him not take many risks in the first half: “He was very annoying for most of the first half, always taking the least risky or least intuitive option, before finally letting loose and scoring a superb goal. His second goal capped a good second half, even if not a brilliant one.”
GVA also gave Manchester City’s £55.5 million man, Doku the same rating but they felt the former Rennes forward did not take as much advantage as he could have of his searing pace against Kazakhstan, pinpointing that he often takes on players from standing positions excessively.
“With his speed, he should have been the best Kazakh turner. His sprint bomb was better than in Liechtenstein, but he still starts too much from a standing position. Nevertheless, Doku sometimes flew past his opponent. He fired in the 2-0 and 4-0 and offered [Nicolas] Raskin the [goal that made it] 3-0.”
RTBF also gave Doku an 8/10 match rating as well after Belgium cruised past Kazakhstan and while they lauded him, they questioned the winger’s display in the first 30 minutes: “Along with Kevin De Bruyne, he was the other standout performer of the evening. While he hadn’t exactly shone against Liechtenstein, Jeremy Doku was in his best form this Sunday evening. Still as puzzling in the opening few meters, it took him a good half hour to find the right formula to be effective.”
| JEREMY DOKU’S STATS VS KAZAKHSTAN | |
| GOALS | 2 |
| SHOTS | 6 |
| KEY PASSES | 2 |
| HIT WOODWORK | 1 |
| DRIBBLES COMPLETED | 1 |
“More comfortable on the left-wing, he got himself out of trouble with a few shots before scoring the 2-0 goal. Freed and confident, he wreaked havoc in the second half, setting up Nicolas Raskin for the 3-0 lead and then holding off his opponent to make it 4-0 and score his fifth goal for the national team. He was replaced in the 66th minute by [Alexis] Saelemaekers.”
Jeremy Doku played in different positions vs Kazakhstan
Doku will perhaps be taking all the feedback coming his way after Belgium beat Kazakhstan.
This season, it is imperative for the him to become productive out wide after cementing his status as a world-class dribbler at the Etihad Stadium.
Thierry Henry advised Doku to improve his game by not basing it around merely taking on defenders.
Doku seems to be trying to adapt his game and against Kazakhstan, Belgium boss Rudi Garcia started him on the right-wing but gave the player the license to exploit central areas.
In the final 30 minutes of the contest, the Belgian attacker played on the left flank.
Pep Guardiola may be tempted to start Doku against Manchester United as his latest outing must have lit a fire inside him to emerge as the difference-maker in the upcoming Manchester Derby.
