Kaiser concern beyond Brazil

Opening danger
Kaiser's side produced probably the best Dutch youth performance of recent years when they reached the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final in Italy four months ago to book a Peruvian trip. Brazil will provide their second opposition in Group D, yet it is the Netherlands' first test against Qatar on Saturday that concerns the coach.

Qatar fear
"The big danger is that, with everyone looking forward to the Brazil match, we might underestimate a team like Qatar," he told uefa.com. "And that is dangerous, as they have a fast striker and a good ball-playing midfield. In fact, I fear losing points against Qatar, while against Brazil we might spring a surprise. But Brazil are the favourites and I hope we can finish a good second."

Homework done
A former AFC Ajax, Coventry City FC and OGC Nice winger, Kaiser - who tips European champions Turkey as the biggest threat to Brazil's title - has been doing his homework on the Group D contenders. "I have seen Qatar play twice, while here at the tournament we can see Brazil and Gambia play each other. I also have seven DVDs of the three teams and can analyse them."

Long trip
Of course, travelling to Peru has made this a different proposition for the Netherlands than Tuscany in May. "We have some boys who have stomach upsets," Kaiser revealed. "That might have something to do with the [three-legged 17-hour] trip we made.

'Excellent' food
"We are also in a different time zone with seven hours' difference, and the climate is pretty cool at night and in the morning, but in the day it is up to 30C. There might also be a problem with the malaria pills the boys had to take. I don't think it is the food, because that all has been arranged excellently."

Friendly welcome
Still, the squad are enjoying the experience. "The people are very friendly, they all wave when our bus passes by," the 44-year-old said. "They find that very special, and my boys feel the same."

High standards
But at the weekend the serious business begins. Kaiser sets high standards for his players, with six newcomers joining 14 members of the squad that impressed in Italy, including goalkeeper Tim Krul, midfielder Vurnon Anita and striker Diego Biseswar.

Harder task
"At the European Championship we did very well, but not well enough, and at the World Cup it will get even harder," he said. "I have the feeling we have improved since the EURO but you will only find out for sure during the matches."

Smartball welcomed
One other discovery to be made at this tournament is whether FIFA's experiment with a 'smartball' that informs the referee via a buzzer if it crosses the line, is a success. Kaiser is in favour. "A wrong decision can really drive you mad," he said. "So it will be fairer when the decision can be made 100 per cent foolproof. I think it would be good to have it at every match if possible."

'All or nothing'
But the tournament is really about the football, and Kaiser hopes his team will shine. "I expect us to finish in the top two in the group and reach the quarter-finals," he said. "After that, it will be all or nothing."