Netherlands were held by Japan
Netherlands were held by JapanReuters

Netherlands will be keen to extend their unbeaten streak to 17 matches, when they host Colombia at the Amsterdam ArenA on Tuesday.

The Oranje were sensational during the qualifiers and emerged the first team from Europe to book their spot in the World Cup. Louis van Gaal's side dropped only two points and conceded just five goals, as they conquered Group D.

However, Netherlands enter this clash on the back of a 2-2 draw against Japan in Genk on Friday. The Dutch were 2-0 up by 40 minutes, thanks to goals Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben, but conceded twice in the next 20 minutes, as Japan bounce back and went on to dominate the game.

"It is clear that we need to take many steps. The second half was not fun to play in, that felt like a heavy defeat. Japan were the bosses, they had control and that should not happen. I have already said earlier that we still have much work to do," Robben said.

Holland are unbeaten since their 4-2 loss to Belgium in August 2012. However, in Colombia they face a team who beat Vincent Kompany's side 2-0 on in Brussels Friday, handing the new European powerhouse their first defeat for over a year.

Radamel Falcao was one of the scorers on that night and the AS Monaco star is aware of the challenge that he and Colombia face on Tuesday. However, the striker has not heard of Aston Villa Dutch defender Ron Vlaar, who is supposed to mark him in Amsterdam, though he knows Vlaar's centre-back partner Stefan de Vrij.

"No, I don't know him. I know Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord captain) though and we have analysed him and we will do more in the coming days. It is a good test for us because they are two good teams who both try to play good football. Holland were World Cup finalists in South Africa and that motivates us," Falcao stressed.

Jose Pekerman's men had finished second, behind Argentina, in the Conmebol qualifying pool, taking 30 points from 16 matches.

Team News 

Netherlands: van Gaal will be without Robin van Persie, who has been withdrawn from both friendlies due to injury. Defenders Jetro Willems and Bruno Martins Indi are also unavailable, though the former has been replaced by Chelsea's Patrick van Aanholt.

Colombia: Pekerman has no fresh injury or suspension concerns and has a full squad to choose from.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 1am IST on Wednesday morning, with no live coverage in India. There is no official live streaming option available in India. To watch the match through live streaming online via Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East and North Africa, click HERE. To catch the action live online in the US courtesy ESPN, click HERE.

Expected Lineups

Netherlands: Cillessen; Janmaat, de Vrij, Vlaar, Blind; N de Jong; Strootman; Robben, S de Jong, van der Vaart; Lens

Colombia: Mondragon; Perea, Zapata, Arias, Armero; Cuadrado, A Ramirez, Sanchez, Rodriguez; Muriel, Falcao

Prediction: 3-2 to Colombia