Netherlands vs Japan Preview: Can Japan survive without Endo, Mitoma and Minamino?

Three of Japan’s best players will not set foot inside AT&T Stadium on Sunday night. Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino — three of the Samurai Blue’s most important figures — are all absent through injury as Japan face the Netherlands in Group F. The question hanging over every pre-match discussion is a simple one: can Japan still threaten a Dutch side that arrives in Dallas with genuine World Cup ambitions?

Kick-off at AT&T Stadium in Dallas is scheduled for 21:00 BST (15:00 CDT) on 14 June. The Group F clash could go a long way towards settling who tops the group and who scrambles for a route through the knockout rounds.

Netherlands: Van Dijk, De Jong and the Oranje machine

The Dutch arrive in Texas carrying genuine title ambitions. Virgil van Dijk, one of the world’s premier central defenders, captains a side that has been imposing throughout their qualifying campaign. His authority at set-pieces and his ability to step out of defence with the ball make him a threat at both ends of the pitch.

Frenkie de Jong dictates tempo from midfield with a composure that few international players can match. His ability to draw pressure and release the ball under challenge gives the Netherlands a platform to build from. Alongside him, Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen provide pace and creativity in attacking areas — a combination capable of punishing any defensive lapse.

The one uncertainty in the Dutch camp surrounds Memphis Depay. The experienced forward has been managing fitness concerns in the build-up to the tournament, and his availability for Sunday’s opener is not guaranteed. Even without him, Ronald Koeman has options — but Depay’s presence would add another dimension to an already dangerous attacking unit.

Japan’s injury crisis: the three absences that could define their World Cup

Japan’s Group F campaign begins in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Three first-choice players — Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino — are all ruled out through injury, creating a void in Hajime Moriyasu’s starting eleven that is extraordinarily difficult to fill.

Endo is perhaps the most significant loss. The Liverpool midfielder is the defensive anchor that allows Japan’s fullbacks to push forward aggressively. Without him, Japan’s midfield structure changes completely — the cover he provides behind the press is not easily replicated. Moriyasu will need to recalibrate an entire system around his absence.

Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton’s electric left winger, was arguably Japan’s most dangerous individual attacker. His pace, dribbling and ability to create chances from wide positions would have posed a real threat to the Netherlands’ high defensive line. Takumi Minamino brings Champions League pedigree and clever movement in tight spaces — another quality option that Moriyasu no longer has available.

And yet context matters. Japan have scored in seven consecutive matches entering this tournament. The goals have not dried up, and the system Moriyasu has built is not entirely reliant on individual names. The replacements stepping in will face enormous pressure — but Japan’s record suggests the collective is resilient enough to keep producing chances.

Tactical preview: Japan’s counter-attacking threat vs Dutch possession

Expect the Netherlands to dominate possession. De Jong and his midfield partners will look to circulate the ball patiently, stretching Japan’s defensive block and seeking gaps for Gakpo and Malen to run in behind. Van Dijk’s willingness to carry the ball from defence and drive into midfield adds an extra dimension to Dutch build-up play that Japan must account for.

Japan, under Moriyasu, will sit in a compact 4-2-3-1 shape and look to counter. The Samurai Blue are disciplined and well-drilled; their defensive structure is designed to deny space centrally and push opponents wide, where their pressing traps can force turnovers. With Mitoma absent, the counter-attacking outlets on the flanks will depend entirely on whoever Moriyasu selects as replacements — and those players will need performances of their lives.

The Netherlands’ potential vulnerability lies in transition moments. When they lose the ball in advanced positions, they can be caught with space in behind — and Japan have historically been clinical enough to make those moments count. Their seven-game scoring run is evidence that the threat does not disappear simply because of personnel changes. If Japan can stay organised for 60 minutes and remain in the game, they have the belief and the system to trouble the Dutch in the final half-hour.

Prediction

The Netherlands are clear favourites, and the scale of Japan’s injury losses makes a Samurai Blue victory a significant ask. Van Dijk, De Jong and a full-strength Oranje attack carry quality at every position — and against a depleted Japanese midfield, the Dutch should be able to create enough chances to win comfortably.

Japan’s organisation and their seven-game scoring streak provide a counterpoint. Moriyasu’s side rarely collapse under pressure, and there is a realistic scenario in which Japan restrict the Dutch and nick a goal on the counter. But a full 90 minutes against this Netherlands side — missing three key players — is too much to expect them to come away with a result.

Netherlands 2-0 Japan. The Dutch win, but Japan’s resilience could keep the final score closer than expected for much of the match.