Nigel de Jong weary of Japan
Friday, 18 June 2010
 |
| Gregory van der Wiel |
When Holland played Japan in Enschede,
last September, the result (3-0) made it seem that the
team of Bert van Marwijk had been the far better side.
Those who saw the match knew it could have been 0-3
just as well.
The team of Takeshi Okada were
the better side in the first half, and it wasn't until
late in the second half that a number of substitutions
and three late goals put a false result on the score
sheet.
The Dutch players still remember
that game and know that Japan will be no pushovers tomorrow.
"Japan are a lot harder to
play than most people might think," says midfielder
Nigel de Jong. "They have a lot of power and a
lot of stamina."
Gregory van der Wiel agrees with
the Manchester City player as he too remembers the game
in Enschede well. "In the end we won it 3-0, but
the score was very flattering. In the first half Japan
had the best chances. But we have to forget that game
and be sharp as knives tomorrow."
"It will be a tough game,"
says Rafael van der Vaart.
"They have a skillful team,
they can run forever and are physically strong. It will
be a totally different game than the one against Denmark."
But the Real Madrid player also
knows Bert van Marwijk and his team will prepare them
very well. "We will see footage of all necessary
aspects of Japan and we will be briefed on all details.
I expect them to be more offensive than Denmark. But
that will leave us more space up front."
De Jong is expecting an open match.
"Both teams have a victory in their back pocket
and both will try to win. Whoever wins is certain to
be in the next round."
Although Bert van Marwijk has hinted
at it, it is now certain that Arjen Robben will not
play tomorrow in Durban. The player himself indicated
he might not actually play in any of the group games.
During the closed training session, yesterday at Wits
University in Johannesburg Robben trained by himself,
apart from the squad; a clear indication he is far from
match fitness.
***
Holland
and Japan head-to-head.
|
