"Van Kerckhoven and De Boeck are certain not to make the team," confirmed Belgium coach Robert Waseige.

Schalke's Van Kerckhoven may struggle to recover in time for Belgium's second game against Tunisia on June 10 while De Boeck said he was "about 80% fit" after the squad's final training session at Saitama Stadium.

Belgium were already missing the injured Joos Valgaeren in defence and Waseige now has to turn to 34-year-old Eric Van Meir and Peter Van der Heyden, who only has a handful of caps.

Waseige believes teamwork will be the key to his patched-up side's prospects of a successful start to their campaign against Japan.

The Red Devils can expect to walk into a wall of noise when they take the field against Philippe Troussier's side and Waseige admitted that: "More than ever it's teamwork that counts."

The Belgians are expected to adopt a conservative approach in the first match of their 11th World Cup finals campaign.

Waseige said he would field a "flexible 4-4-2" lineup, which could mean a role for Marc Wilmots behind lone striker Gert Verheyen.

Japan defender Ryuzo Morioka described Belgium as "a defensive team" and cited as their strengths "their height and their high percentage of goals from free-kicks".

The Belgians will carry the advantage in terms of physical power but Japan have pace and the playmaking skills of Hidetoshi Nakata.

They should also have Shinji Ono available to take his place in a five-man midfield, after fears the player was suffering from appendicitis.

On the right side, Tomokazu Myojin could be brought in to check the runs of Bart Goor.

In qualifying the Belgians' defensive record was impressive - they conceded six goals in 10 matches - and the prospect of a low-scoring match is high given Japan's lack of finishing power.

The Japanese have scored just twice from open play in their last four matches - suggesting a repeat of the sides' only previous meeting, a goalless draw in the Kirin Cup in 1999.

This will not worry the 52,000 crowd in Saitama, the vast majority of whom will be screaming - rather than shouting - for Japan.

Troussier's side are looking for their first World Cup points after three defeats on their debut outing at France 98.

They are desperate to avoid becoming the first host team to fail to qualify for the second round.

Belgium failed at the first hurdle in France 98 and again at Euro 2000.

If they are to avoid a third such setback in a group also containing Russia and Tunisia, a draw against Japan would be the minimum requirement.