Holland v Japan quick pre-match thoughts

Thoughts from a Dutch perspective.

Happy thoughts
With the Dutch performance against Denmark being really slow and uninspired, it surely can only get better.
(but after seeing England yesterday, I am not so sure anymore)

Here in Holland the play of Rafael van der Vaart was heavily criticized, because he went inside too much, clogging up midfield. And although he didn't play well, the real problem was a lack of width on the left that Gio van Bronkhorst should provide. But against Denmark Gio was unwilling or unable to provide that. With van Bronkhorst suffering from a terrible lack of pace and defensive skills it's perhaps understandable that he wouldn't risk it against his direct opponent, the pacy Dennis Rommendahl. Daisuke Matsui, who presumably will be van Bronkhorst's next direct opponent, isn't as scary and Gio should be able to get forward a lot more creating another option in attack.

Against Denmark Eljiro Elia and Ibrahim Affelay came in and caused all sorts of problems for the Danes. When things get pear-shaped v Japan they should both be able to provide some new options in attack for Holland.

Holland defensive record is (surprisingly) outstanding and other then a Bendtner header, Denmark never looked liked scoring. I don't see how Holland will concede more than one goal against Japan.

Bad thoughts
At the 9th of September 2009 Japan played Holland of the park (yes you read it correctly)and should have won. Somehow Holland won that game 3-0. Their aggressive high pressure game gave the Dutch all they could handle and Oranje didn't create one chance in the first half.
Japan recently changed their playing style, playing with an '11 man behind the ball' strategy instead of pressuring high up the pitch. Either way they will be aggressive and their fitness levels will be excellent.

Nigel de Jong and Wesley Sneijder should both have been sent off in the Japan friendly. Undoubtedly Japan's style frustrated them to no end. I fear Nigel de Jong could launch in to a poor Japanese guy picking up a red card if things don't go well.

While Oranje has enough attacking options on the bench, defensively this isn't the case. If Johnny Heitinga or Joris Mathijssen get injured, Andre Ooijer will come in. That's right; the ancient, not employed by a professional football club, flexible like a double-decker bus, Andre Ooijer.

Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie

Fearless prediction: 2-0 to Holland. Difficult, scrappy game with few chances, but somehow Holland will find a way to win. Can't see Japan scoring.