"Do you know Japan?" Virgil van Dijk delivers a sharp rebuke to those who underestimate Japan, proving his point with a 4-0 demolition of Tunisia by the team that beat Brazil and England.

*This content was translated by AI.

Netherlands "captain" Virgil van Dijk (35, Liverpool) delivered a sharp rebuke to those who underestimate Japanese football.

According to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), van Dijk, in an interview after a 5-1 victory over Sweden in the second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Americas, held at Houston Stadium on the 21st (Korean time), stated, "The world is somewhat underestimating Japan," while highly praising the Moriyasu squad.

Coincidentally, immediately after this interview, Japan secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the second group stage match. Having drawn 2-2 with the Netherlands in the first match, Japan's win today placed them second in the group with one win and one draw (4 points). The Netherlands took the top spot in the group based on goal difference. The winner of Group F will be decided in the final third match.

Van Dijk, who thoroughly defeated Sweden, expressed satisfaction by saying, "They played excellently for most of the match. Their defense was solid and their attack was powerful," while directly refuting the criticism that erupted after the draw with Japan. The Netherlands had taken the lead twice against Japan but missed the victory after conceding a painful equalizing goal from Kamada Daichi in the late stages of the second half.

Van Dijk emphasized, "Some reactions following the draw with Japan were somewhat excessive. Japan has been an excellent team that remained undefeated for a while and kept scoreless. It was a natural result to face a tough match against a team that has beaten Brazil, England, and Scotland."

He added, "It is true that the late concession of a goal left a bitter taste, but we were able to prepare based on the positive aspects of that match and secure today's decisive victory."

Meanwhile, on this day, the Netherlands firmly took control of the flow with consecutive goals by Bryan Brobbey in the 5th and 17th minutes of the first half, and sealed the victory with a brace by Cody Gakpo in the 2nd and 9th minutes of the second half. Although they conceded a goal to Anthony Elanga in the 14th minute of the second half, they secured a perfect victory when Krieseno Summerbill scored his second consecutive goal in the 44th minute of the second half.

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*This content was translated by AI.