Porto Alegre (Brazil), June 18: A confident Netherlands will take on Australia in their second match of the 2014 Fifa World Cup at Estádio Beira-Rio here on Wednesday.

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The Dutch routed defenders Spain 5-1 in their first match and will look forward to seal their second round berth at the expense of the Aussies, who lost their first match to Chile 1-3.

FIFA WORLD RANKINGS: THE NETHERLANDS 15, AUSTRALIA 62

Three-time finalists Netherlands will expect Robin van Persie to repeat his performance against the Spaniards. Persie, along with Arjen Robben, scored two goals against the Spaniards, with one of them being a superb header. The Dutch have no injury issues and have been praised for bringing back the style of Total Football of the 1970s.

The Netherlands haven't beaten Australia ever earlier

Persie has scored 10 goals in his last nine international matches while Robben has found the net seven times in as many appearances.

Attacking Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder is just three World Cup goals away from surpassing Johnny Rep and becoming the all-time top scorer his team in the finals. He has scored five goals so far.

Australia, who are playing in their fourth World Cup, will look to remain alive in the tournament as they take on a team placed 47 places higher in the Fifa rankings. The team will also miss the service of defender Ivan Franjic who was ruled out of the tournament during the match against Chile when he suffered a hamstring injury. The Australians will depend on the experience and goal-scoring ability of Tim Cahill, who scored the team's only goal against Chile the other night.

In terms of head-to-head records, however, Australia have a 1-0 advantage over the Netherlands. In the three international friendlies that the two teams have played between them since 2006, Australia had won the second game 2-1. The other two games were drawn.

The Group B match will begin at 9.30 pm IST.

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