Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- For Hajime Moriyasu's Japan, this is the doorway to a fourth straight knockout-stage berth — and a historic first-ever quarter-final. From the Group F opener, the first theme is whether they can seize the initiative against a heavyweight in the Netherlands.
- The all-time series reads three wins and a draw for the Netherlands, with Japan still seeking a first victory. Their only World Cup meeting was a 1-0 defeat to Sneijder's goal at South Africa 2010 — and 16 years on, this is the chance to rewrite that memory with a modern squad.
- The Netherlands enter the second Koeman era, with the manager himself making his World Cup debut on the touchline. Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong (29) sits at the base of midfield, while Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch (24) covers vast ground with his energy.
- The Dutch back line is marshalled by 34-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool). Together with Micky van de Ven and others he forms a back three, while Inter's Denzel Dumfries provides width on the right at both ends.
- Japan's attack flows through Takefusa Kubo (25, Real Sociedad) on the right. His cutting inside and accurate distribution are the lifeblood, and his link-up with No.10 Daichi Kamada (29, Crystal Palace) is meant to prise open the Dutch defence.
- Japan's strike pair is Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) and Daizen Maeda (Celtic), flanked by Keito Nakamura (25, Reims) on the left and Ritsu Doan (27) on the right. Behind them sits a back three of Hiroki Ito, Shogo Taniguchi and Ko Watanabe.
- In midfield, anchor Kaishu Sano (25) is tasked with breaking up play across a wide area. With captain Wataru Endo left out of the starting XI, how far Sano can win the midfield battle against De Jong's Netherlands could be decisive.
- Guarding Japan's goal is 23-year-old Zion Suzuki (Parma). The duel with the Netherlands' equally 23-year-old keeper Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) is a youthful goalkeeping subplot, and their saves could swing a tight contest.
- The venue is the retractable-roof, climate-controlled AT&T Stadium in Dallas. With heat and weather largely removed from the equation, the result comes down to each bench's tactical choices and player quality — possession or vertical speed is the first battle to watch.