Netherlands’ Virgil van Dijk with teammates during a training session ahead of the match against Japan.
Doha, Qatar: The FIFA World Cup is only just beginning, but for the Netherlands and Japan, the margin for error already feels slim.
When the two nations walk onto the pitch at AT&T Stadium in Dallas tonight (11pm, Qatar time) they will not simply be opening their World Cup campaign. They will be taking the first step in what could prove to be one of the toughest groups at the tournament.
Group F is not a group where favourites can afford to ease themselves into the competition. Sweden’s presence means the race for the top two places is likely to be fiercely contested, making a positive start essential for both the Netherlands and Japan. Tunisia complete a tricky group.
For the Netherlands, the World Cup has long been a story of brilliance mixed with heartbreak. The Dutch reached the final in 1974, 1978 and 2010, only to fall at the last hurdle each time.
Japan’s players during a training session in Dallas yesterday. (AFP)
Now, under Ronald Koeman, they begin another attempt to finally end football’s longest-running World Cup frustration.
The Oranje arrive in North America unbeaten in qualifying, topping their group with six wins and two draws. They scored 27 goals and conceded only four.
Their squad is packed with proven stars. Captain Virgil van Dijk remains the leader at the back with Denzel Dumfries, while Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders are expected to pull the strings in midfield. All-time leading scorer Memphis Depay will be joined by Cody Gakpo and the in-form Donyell Malen in attack.
Yet despite their impressive record, there are concerns. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen suffered an injury in the final warm-up match against Uzbekistan, while defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Jurrien Timber have already been ruled out. Those absences could test Dutch depth earlier than expected.
The Netherlands have not lost a World Cup opening match since 1938 and have gone 16 consecutive group-stage matches without defeat since 1994.
The Samurai Blue arrive at their eighth consecutive World Cup after becoming the first nation outside the three host countries to secure qualification.
Four times Japan have reached the Round of 16, but their performances in Qatar four years ago changed how many viewed them on the global stage. Drawn alongside Germany and Spain, they were expected to struggle. Instead, they defeated both European giants and finished top of the group in one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
If they could overcome Germany and Spain, why not the Netherlands?
Japan’s preparations for the World Cup have been disrupted by injuries, with Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino both missing from the squad. Captain Wataru Endo is also out and has announced his international retirement just days before their opener against the Netherlands.
They still remain a well-organised side, with Takefusa Kubo, Ayase Ueda and Ritsu Doan offering attacking threat and Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu key at the back, while Daichi Kamada adds creativity from midfield.
Their coach Hajime Moriyasu has already described the opening match as a major test and insists his players must give “100% effort” and stay true to their style if they are to compete with one of Europe’s traditional powers.
“Japan are very strong,” said Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk. “They play with a lot of discipline and also have a lot of quality.”
Koeman echoed those sentiments, describing Japan as physically strong and extremely well organised.
Japan have never beaten the Netherlands in World Cup fixtures and their last meeting came in South Africa in 2010 when a Wesley Sneijder strike secured a narrow 1 - 0 Dutch victory.
With Sweden also waiting in the wings, neither side can afford a slow start.
