Boab 73 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Saturday brings a top-of-the-table clash in Group E as leaders Netherlands lock horns with a Japan side just one goal behind in second place. On the back of their spirited 1-0 win over Cameroon in their opening match, the Blue Samurai enter their second outing aiming to surprise their highly-rated rivals.The matchNetherlands-Japan, Group E, Durban Stadium, Saturday 19 June, 13.30 (local time)These two sides are meeting for the second time in just 10 months, having squared off in a friendly last September, when the Netherlands recorded a 3-0 victory. The Oranje appear to have an Indian sign over Asian sides, having won seven and drawn one of their eight match-ups against teams from the world’s most populous continent. Takeshi Okada’s charges will be hopeful of denting this record, but there is no doubt that Bert van Marwijk’s team will start as strong favourites.Both sides made light work of qualifying, with Netherlands the first team to join hosts South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, and Japan booking their fourth consecutive appearance with two games to spare. The Dutch continued this rampant form in the build-up, rounding off their preparations with four wins, including a 6-1 mauling of Hungary. Japan, on the other hand, arrived in the Rainbow Nation on the back of three friendly losses.With star winger Arjen Robben ruled out of the first game due to injury, Van Marwijk’s side still managed a comfortable 2-0 success against Denmark. Okada also left out one of his stars, Shunsuke Nakamura, and pushed Keisuke Honda up front, a decision that was fully vindicated by a hard-fought opening win.Players to watchWesley Sneijder v Keisuke HondaAfter inspiring his side to victory over the Danes, Sneijder has further underlined his status as the conductor of the Oranje orchestra. The Inter Milan midfielder also played a pivotal role in their 3-0 friendly win over the Japanese, and his vision and precise passing will continue to cause headaches for the Asians. Honda, meanwhile, is thriving in his new attacking role and grabbed his team’s all-important goal against Cameroon. Having spent two full seasons with VVV-Venlo, he will hope to utilise his knowledge of Dutch football to good effect against Japan's highly-fancied opponents.The stat10 – Netherlands have run riot in their previous three meetings with Asian sides, scoring a total of 10 goals, with the highlight a 5-0 dismantling of Korea Republic at France 1998.What they said“The Japan game won't be easy as they play a good style of football, running a lot and combining well. In our last meeting they put us under pressure for an hour but eventually we won. The second match is crucial for both sides and we will go all out to win,” Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands midfielder.“The Netherlands test is important for us if we are to get through the group phase. We lost our last meeting with them, so we are motivated to win this time around. It remains to be seen whether we can get a good result but we won’t give up without a fight,” Daisuke Matsui, Japan midfielder.Voice of the fans“Japan is going to come out fast, riding on the momentum of their win, but the Dutch aren't going to sit down and take it. Their counter-attack will change the tides of the game. Dutch to win 3-0 (maybe 3-1 on an early lucky goal),” FIFA.com user GandhiOfWar.The questionCan Japan become the first Asian team to beat the Netherlands? Venue: DurbanDate: Saturday, 19 June 2010Kick-off: 1230 BSTCoverage: ITV and BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary and video highlights on this website (UK only)TEAM NEWSNetherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is expected to stick with the same line-up that faced Denmark in their opening game. Arjen Robben has been training on his own this week as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be risked.Japan coach Takeshi Okada opted for an ultra-defensive 4-1-4-1 formation against Cameroon, and is expected to field the same starting XI against the Dutch.One booking from suspension: De Jong, Van Persie (Netherlands); Abe (Japan).MATCH PREVIEWJapan have never gone beyond the group stage of the World Cup outside their own country, but Monday's historic victory over Cameroon has given the Blue Samurai some much-needed self-belief. Takeshi Okada's team are being hailed as heroes in their homeland following their first-ever World Cup win on foreign soil, and they will go into Saturday's encounter against the Netherlands in confident mood.Japan's hopes will again rest on the shoulders of Keisuke Honda. The 24-year-old was singled out by coach Okada before the tournament as the Blue Samurai's key man, and proved why with the match-winning goal against Cameroon. Japan have won all five matches in which the CSKA Moscow attacking midfielder has scored, keeping a clean sheet in all of them.Japan may have contained a poor Cameroon side, but stopping the Dutch is a different matter. Bert van Marwijk's talented team may have been underwhelming in their 2-0 victory over Denmark, but the coach put their display down to nerves and has promised a more fluid performance on Saturday. Van Marwijk will again be without Arjen Robben, who continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, but an eye-catching performance from substitute Eljero Elia suggests the Dutch have a more than able deputy for the Bayern Munich winger.The only previous meeting between these sides was in September last year, when the Dutch ran out 3-0 winners but were outplayed for an hour by Okada's side. "The first hour of that match Japan were in charge," Wesley Sneijder told reporters this week. "Our coach said that was the only match our opponents really made it difficult for us, so let that be the only one."http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/standings/group=249727/index.htmlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_24 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommy2212 151 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 I think it will be 3-1 holland , i hope its a good game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose_72 198 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Hopefully we see a better performance from Holland. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan72 12 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Come on Holland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcpherson888 0 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Cant believe Elia didnt get a start! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted June 19, 2010 Author Share Posted June 19, 2010 Netherlands: 1-Maarten Stekelenburg; 2-Gregory van der Wiel, 3-John Heitinga, 4-Joris Mathijsen, 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 7-Dirk Kuyt, 6-Mark van Bommel, 10-Wesley Sneijder, 8-Nigel de Jong, 23-Rafael van der Vaart; 9-Robin van Persie.Japan: 21-Eiji Kawashima; 2-Yuki Abe, 22-Yuji Nakazawa, 4-Tulio, 3-Yuichi Komano; 5-Yuto Nagatomo, 16-Yoshito Okubo, 7-Yasuhito Endo, 17-Makoto Hasebe, 8-Daisuke Matsui; 18-Keisuke Honda.Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan72 12 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 No Elia Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheYellowSubmarine 22 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 overhead kick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClintonGrey 365 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan72 12 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Dirk Kuyt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
broxibear87 129 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 That... is.... just.... brilliant !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSuedeSambas 54,226 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 De Jong & Van Bommell need to play ten yards up the park.They are getting the ball far to far from goal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingWilBEARy 4,319 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Hopw the 2nd half is better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR_54 15 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 I really have no idea who is going to win this World Cup...I fancied Brazil at first and they are probably still my favourites. But not one team has REALLY thrown the gauntlet down - possibly Argentina you could argue... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingWilBEARy 4,319 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 I really have no idea who is going to win this World Cup...I fancied Brazil at first and they are probably still my favourites. But not one team has REALLY thrown the gauntlet down - possibly Argentina you could argue...England Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisb72 50 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Kuyt to score next. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlippinEck 3,717 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 LOL what a strike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose_72 198 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Finally a goal!Sneijder scores 1-0 Holland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheYellowSubmarine 22 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Kuyt to score next.hehe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisb72 50 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 fs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wutangster 38 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Goal On the Dutch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu1993 101 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 I really have no idea who is going to win this World Cup...I fancied Brazil at first and they are probably still my favourites. But not one team has REALLY thrown the gauntlet down - possibly Argentina you could argue...EnglandGermany, were very unlucky second gameIs that robert green in goals ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GersxChick 15 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrfc 32 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 Is Morimoto the Catania striker with the Japanese squad? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingWilBEARy 4,319 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 The ball didn't seem to move much at the goalThe keeper just fucked it upDaft Jap Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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