Netherlands

Should you change a winning formula? Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is pondering that question ahead of his team’s next match against Australia on Wednesday. Van Gaal’s decision to play a system based on five defenders against Spain was a tactical masterstroke as the Dutch humiliated the defending world champion 5-1 in Salvador in their Group B opener. Preparing for the World Cup, Van Gaal hinted he might revert to the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 system against an Australian team whose defence can be tough to break down. The two sides meet in Porto Alegre. Midfield playmaker Wesley Sneijder told the official Netherlands supporters’ site OnsOranje.nl that “I would say 5-3-2 to continue building for the rest of the tournament”.

Brazil

Brazil striker Hulk, above, left a training session because of a muscle injury in his left leg yesterday but said he expects to be fit to play Mexico tomorrow in his team’s second World Cup match. Hulk practised for less than 15 minutes before leaving the field. He said the injury was not serious and “hopefully” it would not keep him out of the next match. “I felt a small discomfort and decided to leave as a precaution,” Hulk said. “I was already thinking about the next match, it’s only two days away and in the World Cup you don’t want to miss any match. I hope to be ready so I can help the national team again.” Hulk said he had the injury before the opening win over Croatia, when he was replaced late in the match, and felt it again after a few shots on goal on Sunday.

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Cameroon

Samuel Eto’o has missed two days of training with an injured knee and is battling to be fit for Cameroon’s World Cup Group A game against Croatia on Wednesday, coach Volker Finke said yesterday. “He has a problem with the right knee that he already had at the end of the season with his club Chelsea,” Finke told a press conference. “He did not train yesterday nor today.” Cameroon, who lost their opener 1-0 to Mexico, play Croatia on Wednesday in Manaus needing a victory to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the last 16.

Spain

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres believes Spain are an even better team than when they won the World Cup four years ago despite opening the defence of their title with a 5-1 thumping by the Netherlands. “We are the same as we were a week ago, or four years ago. The team has matured with age. There is nothing to say that the team is worse, I would say it is a lot better,” said Torres, 30. The defeat against the Dutch was Spain’s heaviest in 51 years, but Torres said their experience of winning three consecutive major tournaments will give them confidence when they face Chile on Wednesday. “This group has gone through very good and very bad moments together. We know what we are capable of and I don’t think the psychological factor will be a problem.”

Japan

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said yesterday he could be forced into a radical rethink to salvage his team’s World Cup dreams after an opening 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast. Japan will go on to face Greece in Natal on Friday before tackling Colombia in Cuiaba on June 24. If the Asian giants are to progress, Zaccheroni believes his team need to improve in all departments. “Our backs are against the wall,” said the veteran Italian coach. “I have to confess that I expected a lot more from my players.”