Japan vs. Netherlands: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

The Netherlands and Japan will take the pitch on Saturday afternoon in an international friendly between two national teams that have their sights on the World Cup.

Both sides made an easy go of it in World Cup qualifying. Japan won their group by four points over Australia, while the Dutch notched nine wins to just one draw to breeze through qualifications.

Each side will receive a decent measuring stick as to where they stand among the field. 

Let's break down everything you need to know for this friendly.

When: Saturday, Nov. 16

Where: Cristal Arena; Genk, Belgium

Start Time: 7:15 a.m. EST/12:15 p.m. GMT

TV: 12:15 p.m. EST repeat on beIN Sport 

Live Stream: beIN Sport Play

Note: live coverage of match only available at live stream link.

Top Storyline: Can Dutch Replace Star Power?

The Netherlands will get a sobering dose of the distant future in their upcoming friendlies, playing without star striker Robin van Persie.

Coming off the lone goal in a Premier League victory over Arsenal, the Manchester United standout has pulled out of the pair of friendlies against Japan and Colombia with toe and groin injuries according to the Daily Express' James Dickenson. 

Per Dickenson's report, the Dutch will also be without Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie, who is nursing a bruised foot.

Of course, this only adds onto the earlier injury problems up front at striker for the national team. Dirk Kuyt, Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are all still out with injury, per Dickenson.

It won't be an easy prospect for Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal, but he told Goal.com's Craig Turnbull about how it could help should disaster strike in Brazil:

"It will be interesting to see how we manage without Van Persie. We have to show how we are when he's not available. That could always be a scenario in Brazil," said van Gaal.

In van Persie's absence, it will likely be Arjen Robben who dons the captain's sleeve, per Sky Sports. 

Prediction

Van Persie or no van Persie, Netherlands still boast a roster capable of competing with nearly any nation on the planet. When Robben and Kevin Strootman are the backup plan as far as star power goes, you're in good hands.

Meanwhile, Japan have lost two straight in international friendlies as of late in road losses to Serbia and Belarus—not exactly the cream of the crop. This one is technically a home game, but only on paper, as it's being played in Belgium and right by the Dutch border.

Netherlands 3, Japan 1