Martinez delighted with Belgian focus as winning run continues

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Dries Mertens in action with Kazakhstan's Abzal Beysebekov REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

NUR-SULTAN (Reuters) - A delighted Roberto Martinez praised the focus and application of his Belgium team after they extended their 100% record in the Euro 2020 qualifiers with a 2-0 away win over Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Belgium had already secured qualification with a 9-0 home win over San Marino on Thursday but provided further evidence of their high ranking in world football with a polished performance to move to 24 points in Group I.

"Everything comes down to the focus of the players," said Martinez after the win at the Astana Arena in the Kazakh capital for the number one side in the FIFA rankings.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Thorgan Hazard in action with Kazakhstan's Sergiy Maly REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

"We have an incredible squad. Talent is one thing, but these guys are also great ambassadors for how they interact with the fans.

"The approach is important and Kazakhstan was another challenge for them. It was adapting, for example, to the artificial turf.

"But if your focus is right, then nothing is a problem. It's great to see these players at work."

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Eden Hazard in action REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

Martinez told reporters he was now hoping to finish the last two qualifiers in style. They play Russia in St Petersburg on Nov. 16 and then finish at home to Cyprus three days later.

"We will do everything we can to finish the campaign in Brussels nicely," he added.

Belgium's win on Sunday, with goals from Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier, meant they reached 30 goals across eight group games with one conceded.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Thomas Meunier scores their second goal REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Dries Mertens in action with Kazakhstan's Dmitri Shomko REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Eden Hazard in action with Kazakhstan's Georgi Zhukov REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Belgium - Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan - October 13, 2019 Belgium's Christian Benteke in action with Kazakhstan's Sergiy Maly REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev