Johannesburg: The Netherlands is ready to win the World Cup for the first time, according to midfielder Nigel de Jong.
The Dutch, who twice reached the final but lost both times, opened their World Cup campaign on Monday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Denmark.
"I think we just have to deliver this World Cup," De Jong said on Tuesday after light training. "We have got enough quality to do it."
The Manchester City midfielder said a large chunk of the team has played together for years and are now at the peak of their powers. De Jong, midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, striker Robin van Persie and playmaker Wesley Sneijder are all in their mid-20s. The injured Arjen Robben is 26.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said Robben may train with the rest of the squad on Wednesday but he didn't know whether the Bayern Munich winger will be fully fit by the time Netherlands face Japan on Saturday in Durban.
Robben injured his hamstring in a 6-1 friendly win over Hungary about a week before the start of the World Cup.
One player clearly on the mend is Van Persie, who missed much of Arsenal's last Premier League campaign because of an injury to his right ankle, but played the bulk of the game against Denmark before being substituted.
Van Persie said he was not entirely satisfied with his performance on Monday, even though it was his cross that led to the own goal that broke the deadlock a minute into the second half.
"I did play better in the last couple of weeks, but somehow I didn't approach my level, which I normally have, so I need to work on that in the next game," Van Persie said.
The striker said Japan will be a difficult proposition. Japan surprised Cameroon in the other Group E match on Monday, winning 1-0.
"They are a good side," Van Persie said. "Physical, very strong."
The Netherlands reached the final in 1974 and '78, first losing to host West Germany and then to host Argentina.
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