It's a case of "same again, please" as far as the J. League is concerned, with last season's bumper opening day clash between Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds reprised for the 2010 campaign. The J. League has announced the schedule for the opening two rounds of fixtures, with three-time defending champions Kashima set to start the defence of their title in front of a capacity crowd at Kashima Stadium against arch-rivals Urawa. There's also a repeat of the recent Emperor's Cup final as Gamba Osaka host Nagoya Grampus at Expo '70 Stadium, while last season's runners-up Kawasaki Frontale kick off the new campaign at home to Albirex Niigata. Round 2 features a much-anticipated Osaka derby, as promoted side Cerezo Osaka welcome crosstown rivals Gamba to Nagai Stadium, with Kanagawa rivals Yokohama F. Marinos and newly promoted Shonan Bellmare also slugging it out at Nissan Stadium. The full fixture list will be announced on February 3. Round 1 Saturday, March 6 Kashima Antlers vs Urawa Reds (Kashima Stadium) FC Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos (Ajinomoto Stadium) Kawasaki Frontale vs Albirex Niigata (Todoroki Stadium) Shonan Bellmare vs Montedio Yamagata (Hiratsuka Stadium) Jubilo Iwata vs Vegalta Sendai (Yamaha Stadium) Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus (Expo '70 Stadium) Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Shimizu S-Pulse (Big Arch Stadium) Sunday, March 7 Omiya Ardija vs Cerezo Osaka (Nack5 Stadium) Vissel Kobe vs Kyoto Sanga (Home's Stadium) Round 2 Saturday, March 13 Vegalta Sendai vs Omiya Ardija (Yurtec Stadium) Yokohama F. Marinos vs Shonan Bellmare (Nissan Stadium) Albirex Niigata vs Jubilo Iwata (Big Swan Stadium) Shimizu S-Pulse vs Montedio Yamagata (Nihondaira Stadium) Nagoya Grampus vs Kawasaki Frontale (Toyota Stadium) Sunday, March 14 Urawa Reds vs FC Tokyo (Saitama Stadium) Kyoto Sanga vs Kashima Antlers (Nishikyogoku Stadium) Cerezo Osaka vs Gamba Osaka (Nagai Stadium) Vissel Kobe vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Home's Stadium) Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

The Netherlands Road to South Africa They may have enjoyed a relatively easy draw, but the Netherlands could hardly have been more convincing as they swept all before them on the way to winning eight qualifying games in a row. In a group that contained one less opponent than the rest of the European groups, the Netherlands started their campaign with a win away in Macedonia and simply never let up. A narrow win in Oslo over Norway was followed by a comfortable home victory against Scotland, and with their two main challengers dispatched early on, the Dutch cruised through to the finals and conceded just two goals en route. Bert van Marwijk’s side might have enjoyed a charmed run to the finals, but they showed in a gritty final-day win in the hostile confines of Glasgow’s Hampden Park that they are also capable of grinding out results. Analysis Despite so much expectation, the Dutch still have no World Cup trophy to show for all their undoubted talents. Grizzled tactician van Marwijk will hope to change all that when he leads his Dutch side at what could be one of the most open World Cups in years, and there’s plenty of experience rippling through his well-balanced squad. Skipper Giovanni van Bronckhorst, midfield talisman Mark van Bommel and workhorse striker Dirk Kuyt have seen it all before, while mercurial midfielder Rafael van der Vaart seems to have been around for an eternity – despite being just 26. Perhaps the only weakness resides in goal, where the Dutch have struggled to replace legendary custodian Edwin van der Saar. Ajax shot-stopper Maarten Stekelenburg is the current incumbent, but doubts remain about his composure under pressure. Key player: Mark van Bommel The Dutch have a wealth of creative talent at their disposal, so it’s up to the coach’s son-in-law Mark van Bommel to do the dirty work in midfield, with the combative anchorman a tough-tackling terrier in the centre of the park. One to watch: Eljero Elia Goals have proved to come by for the Dutch – who recorded three 0-0 draws in post-qualification friendlies, so the tricky wing play of rising young star Eljero Elia could prove decisive in unlocking stubborn defences. Coach: Bert van Marwijk When Marco van Basten’s unpopular reign came to an inglorious end, the Dutch turned to Bart van Marwijk to restore order. At 57, van Marwijk has been around for some time, but it’s only the past decade in spells at Feyenoord and German club Borussia Dortmund that he has made a name for himself, and this is his first major tournament in charge of the Dutch national team. Recent Previous Tournaments 1998: Semi-finals 2002: Did not qualify 2006: Second round Soccerphile says Perennial dark horses, the Dutch are yet to make good on all their promise and lift a World Cup trophy. Once again they go into the finals with high expectations, but the lack of an authoritative goalkeeper, a struggling front line and an inexperienced coach mean that while they should get out of a group containing Japan, Denmark and Cameroon, their fate could lay in the hands of the draw thereafter. Tags Soccer News Holland