Salvador-Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes the Netherlands will be largely relying on their attacking triangle of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie when the two sides face off in a Group B match here Friday to start their 2014 World Cup campaign.
It will be a re-match of the ill-tempered 2010 final in Johannesburg, when Spain won 1-0 against the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute, reports Xinhua.
This time the defending champions are wary of a backlash from the Dutch.
World Cup winning captain Casillas said his team has to watch out for Dutch playmaker Arjen Robben.
"Robben is a very fast player. He played with me for two seasons in Real Madrid. He was a very good player back then. I played against him a couple of times both at club level and national level. He was always a decisive player in all the matches we played," Casillas said at the Arena Fonte Nova here.
Casillas warned that the Dutch trio of Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie will be the key.
"There are younger players ofcourse in the Dutch squad. I think, together with (Wesley) Sneijder and (Robin) van Persie, the three seasoned players are three pillars with extraordinary international experiences. And I think their chance will be relying greatly on this triangle," the 33-year-old goalie added.
Friday's match will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final which the Spaniards won 1-0 in extra time.
For Casillas Friday's encounter will be very different from the 2010 final that witnessed 14 yellow cards.
"The match in South Africa will have nothing to do with the match that we will be playing here. But it is obviously very important for us to beat them," Casillas said.
"When you start a World Cup and you do not get a good result, you will be very tense and under huge pressure in the next match trying to make up the mistakes made before. I think if you start well then that's part of your success for the future. In terms of the match against Netherlands, we want to beat them," he added.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper said Spain are the favourites but all teams want to give their best when they face the defending champions.
"We are favourites, but all teams want to play as best they can when they face Spain. I think we are motivated. Our team will be strong and we want to progress as far as possible and defend our title," he said.
Group B also include Chile and Australia who will take on each other Friday in Cuiaba.
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