10:00 PM
WK
The Dutch national team is participating in the Football World Cup for the twelfth time. Tonight is the day: the Dutch team’s first match in the group stage. Japan is the opponent in Dallas. Follow all developments in our live blog. The kick-off is at 10 p.m. (Dutch time).
liveblog
What does Maarten expect from the match?
“I expect a match in which both teams play with Japan’s last five results in mind all the time. Those were all victories without a single goal conceded. And booked to visit England (0-1), Scotland (0-1) and South Korea (0-1).
“Because of that strong series, Japan has the confidence that they can also keep a clean sheet against the Dutch team. And in the Netherlands they know the other way around: falling 1-0 behind this top-fit team and you have a big problem. Maybe that’s why a draw is a logical outcome today.”
Jersey number 7 emotional value
They went to the same primary school and were on the same youth teams. Four years ago, Ao Tanaka tapped at the request of Kaoru Mitoma scored the winning goal against Spain. Now one is injured and the other is wearing his shirt number against the Dutch team. This is the moving story of the ‘Saginuma brothers’.
Interview
Virgil van Dijk (35) will start his last World Cup on Sunday. At Liverpool he has been an undisputed captain for years, and this is also the case in the Netherlands criticism of his leadership. What’s in it for him? And how does Van Dijk view himself as a leader? “Sometimes I take on too much.”
Probable setup
National coach Ronald Koeman seems to remain confident in his starting eleven after the close 2-1 win over Uzbekistan. That means that the fit Memphis Depay has to settle for a reserve role. Bart Verbruggen is fit enough for a starting spot.
Good morning!
Welcome to the live blog about the match between the Netherlands and Japan. The World Cup is about to start for the Dutch team! Follow everything in the run-up to the match, which starts at 10 p.m., in our live blog!