World Cup Group F: Netherlands vs. Japan Match Preview | OneFootball

The World Cup is underway and Group F kicks off tomorrow with a pair of matches. Although it’s only matchday one, the very first game between the Netherlands and Japan will likely be the best in this group. Both nations have ambitions to top the group and make a deep run in the knockouts. Let’s get into the preview.

Match Details

Who: Netherlands vs. JapanWhat: World Cup Group FWhere: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, TexasWhen: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PTWatch: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock ES, Fubo Sports

Netherlands Shaky In Warm-Up Friendlies

The Netherlands didn’t have much of a problem qualifying for the World Cup. They finished top of their group without losing a single game. However, they failed to beat the only somewhat difficult team in their group Poland, drawing both matches against them. Their path to the World Cup was two wins apiece over Finland, Malta, and Lithuania. Not exactly the most challenging.

Since qualifying, the Dutch have faced four World Cup nations in friendlies to prepare themselves. They got off to a good start with a 2-1 win over Norway in March, but their second game of that window against Ecuador was drastically different. A Willian Pacho own goal gave the Oranje the perfect start, but that was their only good moment. Denzel Dumfries was shown a straight red card in the 12th minute and after that it was all Ecuador. The Netherlands ultimately were lucky to leave with a draw after Ecuador outshot them 16-2 and controlled 71% of possession.

The results haven’t gotten any better this summer. Algeria was the first opponent in their send-off match in Rotterdam. Despite dominating the game, the Netherlands failed to score a single goal and paid the price. It was a poetic goal for Algeria as Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa scored in his club’s stadium to win it late for his country. The Dutch then traveled to the United States to take on World Cup debutants Uzbekistan. Once again, they failed to score from open play and only won thanks to two Cody Gakpo penalties. One of those came with the very last kick of the match. It’s fair to say the Netherlands come into this World Cup vulnerable to an upset.

Injury-Riddled Japan Hope To Continue Defensive Success

The injury bug has not been kind to the Japanese national team. Last December, veteran attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino tore his ACL in a Coupe de France match for his club Monaco. On May 9, star left winger Kaoru Mitoma suffered a severe hamstring injury in the third-to-last match of the season for Brighton. Finally, just two days ago, Japan’s captain Wataru Endō withdrew from their World Cup squad and announced his retirement from international football. He had been dealing with a foot injury since February and had to be replaced at halftime of Japan’s final friendly against Iceland. Three of their most important players out for the World Cup just like that.

Although the attack might struggle to create chances without Minamino and Mitoma, Japan’s defense has been rock solid recently. They’ve kept five clean sheets in a row and haven’t conceded a goal since last October. The highlight of this run was a 1-0 win over World Cup contenders England at Wembley, although that goal was scored by Mitoma. Japan also kept clean sheets against the likes of Ghana and Scotland in that run. Even in the last game they conceded in, the Samurai Blue still beat Brazil 3-2. This team will not concede many chances to any opponent this summer and have proven that all they need is one goal to win games.

Match Prediction

I expect this to be a tactical chess match as both nations favor defensive solidity. As a result, there won’t be too many clear chances to score for either side. The attack for the Dutch hasn’t been able to score goals from open play and Japan are too disciplined to give up a silly penalty. Japan will also struggle to create but ultimately they’ll take their chance when it comes. I’m going for a 1-0 upset in favor of the Samurai Blue.

Prediction: Netherlands 0-1 Japan