Japanese Expert Predicts a Heavy Japan Win Over the Netherlands

Japanese journalist Turo Nakata, who has lived in the Netherlands for nearly 25 years and has followed every Japanese player arriving in Dutch football since the early 2000s, says he is being flooded with calls ahead of Sunday’s World Cup meeting between the Netherlands and Japan in Arlington, Texas, at 23:00 on Sport1. Nakata, a veteran reporter for De Telegraaf, argues that a big Japan victory is more likely than a narrow Dutch one.

“There is respect for the Oranje, but no fear,” he said. “The chance that Japan will beat the Netherlands by a high score is greater in my view than a small Dutch win.” He added that he has seen many ups and downs from the Dutch national team over the years and described it as a parabola, where every decline is followed by a breakthrough and every breakthrough by a fall. “In my opinion the Netherlands are going to take a heavy beating tomorrow,” he said.

Nakata pointed out that Japan’s World Cup squad includes five players from the Dutch top division and others who previously played in the Netherlands and moved on. Four more players who are still active in the Dutch league were either not called up or did not survive the final cuts. He said Japan plays better when several Japanese players are grouped together, citing NEC Nijmegen this season as an example.

Looking ahead, Nakata said he expects the quarterfinals to be the minimum target for the “Blue Samurai” at this World Cup, which he said is also the team’s official goal. He contrasted that ambition with the disappointment of the 1998 World Cup, when Japan lost all three home games to Argentina, Croatia and Jamaica.