Belgium coach Roberto Martinez will be looking for a vastly improved performance from his side when they take on a resolute Morocco in their second World Cup Group F fixture at Al Thumama Stadium, where victory will seal a round of 16 place.

Martinez described their 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday as the “worst technical performance” of his six-year spell in charge, but said his team will improve as the tournament goes on.

“We have to grow with these games,” he told reporters.

“This tournament is going to make you develop and grow as it goes on. If you do that by winning games, it’s an incredible advantage.

“We didn’t win (against Canada) with our normal talent and quality on the ball, but you don’t win in the World Cup if you don’t do the other side of the game (defend well).”

Martinez said Romelu Lukaku, whose absence was keenly felt against Canada, was unlikely to feature in Sunday’s game (12am Monday AEDT) despite recovering well from injury.

The menacing striker has returned to full training having played just two club games since August due to thigh and hamstring issues.

“Romelu was only ever going to be available for the third game (against Croatia) and we will carry on with that, but he is ahead of where he should be,” Martinez told reporters on Saturday.

“He has trained twice now with the group and the signs are very good. We have to see how he reacts today at training.

“I don’t expect him to be involved (against Morocco), he is still not 100 per cent.”

Getting Lukaku back ahead of the knockout rounds, should Belgium advance that far, will be a priority but there will be caution against rushing him back into service too soon.

Morocco also have a concern over one of their key names after Noussair Mazraoui was stretchered off in the 0-0 draw with Croatia. It is not clear whether the right-sided player will recover from the hip injury in time.

It was a workmanlike performance against the Croats but one that new coach Walid Regragui feels gives them a platform to build on against Belgium.

“I’ve only been here for two months and I’m proud of the players. We wanted to achieve another result, but in the end we were satisfied with the draw,” he said.

“We will wait for the outcome of the Belgium match, and then we will look to qualify for the last 16 against Canada.”

Morocco beat Belgium 4-1 the last time the teams met in 2008, a game in which centre-back Jan Vertonghen and midfielder Axel Witsel both played for the European side

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com