Breakdown for Group B

(Reuters) - Following is a team-by-team breakdown of Group B.

JAPAN

Japan have reached their eighth Olympic soccer tournament but coach Yasuharu Sorimachi is facing a rough ride.

Sorimachi's team face European under-21 champions Netherlands, 1996 gold medalists Nigeria and the United States.

"I knew we would get a difficult group," he said after the draw. "Holland are probably the second best side in the world in this age group.

"We have also struggled against African teams so it's an extremely tough proposition. We will study the opposition and try to impose Japan's style of play on them."

His worries have been compounded by news that midfielder Yasuhito Endo, who was due to play as an over-age player, went down with a viral infection and was ruled out.

His club Gamba Osaka said they would not risk sending him to China after he went down with high fever.

Troubled striker Yoshito Okubo was also left out after disciplinary problems.

Japan won the bronze medal in 1968 when the tournament was still amateur, then had to wait until 1996 before they qualified again. Since then, they have been ever-present.

The Japanese were far from convincing in qualifying and faced elimination after a 2-1 defeat to Qatar.

But a 4-0 win over Vietnam and a draw with Saudi Arabia was enough to book their place.

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NETHERLANDS

European under-21 champions Netherlands are expected to lead the continent's challenge at the tournament, where Brazil and Argentina appear to be strong favorites.

The Dutch say the mood in the camp is good and there is no risk of the in-fighting which has often plagued the senior side at major competitions.