Japan coach Akira Nishino has his work cut out containing Belgium’s free-flowing attacks. Even if he manages to keep Hazard quiet, there are still multiple threats.
De Bruyne has proved to be an exquisite passer with Premier League champion Manchester City, and is especially dangerous with long-range passes and crosses. Mertens has a more unpredictable style of play, but has mesmerizingly quick feet, an even quicker brain, and despite his diminutive size he is hard to knock off the ball.
Mertens’ modest tally of 15 goals in 72 games for Belgium does not do justice to his finishing ability. When the mood takes him, Mertens is utterly ruthless in front of goal and he has netted 56 goals overall in the past two seasons with Napoli in Italy’s Serie A.
Given the fragility of Japan’s defense, Nishino may have no choice but to try and take the game to Belgium. This could produce a high-scoring contest. Japan also has talented and experienced attacking players in former Manchester United forward Shinji Kagawa and the hugely popular Keisuke Honda.
Kagawa, who has 31 international goals, is likely to play as a playmaker behind the lone striker in Nishino’s favored 4-2-3-1 formation.
Honda, who has netted 37 times for Japan, is no longer a regular, but the 32-year-old former AC Milan player remains dangerous on free kicks. Attack-minded fullback Hiroki Sakai also adds another dimension with his marauding runs down the right flank.
Nishino must decide between Yoshinori Muto and Yuya Osako as his lone striker. After starting the first two games, and coming on early in the second half against Poland, Osako is favored to start.