Dutch look to last 16 berth

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

The Netherlands take on Japan in the World Cup today with high hopes of securing a berth in the World Cup's knockout stages.

Winger Arjen Robben completed a full training session for the first time since recovering from a left hamstring injury, but is unlikely to start in the Group E match. The Netherlands beat Denmark 2-0 in their opening game, helped by an own goal, and some players are talking up the team's chances of winning the tournament.

"We just have to deliver this World Cup," midfielder Nigel de Jong said. "We have got enough quality to do it."

Robben flew out late to join the team after picking up the hamstring injury in a June 5 friendly against Hungary.

Robben also said the Netherlands have a chance to break their World Cup curse in South Africa. Two-time runners-up, the Netherlands placed fourth in 1998 and the team has been viewed as underachievers on the world stage for the past 35 years.

Big teams

"There are a lot of big teams at the World Cup with a lot of quality," Robben told FIFA.com. "But we have a very good group of players and we can accomplish something at this World Cup."

Bert van Marwijk's side blitzed though qualification, winning all eight matches, with 17 goals scored and two conceded. The team kept their winning run through friendly games against the United States and Mexico before a 4-1 win over Ghana on June 1 and the 6-1 rout of Hungary days later.

In Durban, the Netherlands face a Japan team buoyed by a 1-0 win over Cameroon following a string of losses in warm-up matches.

Japan and the Netherlands have only met once, with the Dutch winning 3-0 in a friendly nine months ago.

Van Marwijk said he expects today's game to be very different.

"I expect a very aggressive Japan and we're prepared for anything and everything," he said after a team training session on Friday.

"You can't compare this to a friendly game ... It's an important match, and it'll be a tougher fight. Both teams want to win this."

Japan stronger

But Japan are aware that the Netherlands have strengthened their team since last year.

"They gained in terms of maturity," Okada said. "They improved overall as a team."

Striker Dirk Kuyt, who scored the Netherlands' second goal against Denmark, praised Japan as a tough opponent.

"It'll be a big game tomorrow (Saturday) and we are looking forward to it," he said. "I think they did a great job. The first game at the World Cup is not easy and to get that result is great for them."

Captain Makoto Hasabe said Japan aimed to increase their intensity going forward against the Netherlands, while staying strong at the back.