Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has revealed that his wife is not happy with his generally grim expression, and a positive start into the World Cup may work wonders in this respect.
"I will try my best," Koeman has said on the issue.
Whether his expression remains to be seen as the three-time finalists are not rated among the favourites.
The Dutch face a very tricky opener on Sunday against Japan, who beat Germany and Spain in the 2022 group stage and have won their last six games, including against Brazil and England.
The Dutch lost 2-1 against Algeria and laboured to a 2-1 over Uzbekistan in their last tune-ups as defender Virgil van Dijk readily admitted that "we need to take a few more steps."
Oranje have been hit by injuries with Jurriën Timber, Xavi Simons and Matthijs de Ligt missing and forward Memphis Depay not fully fit after a difficult season at Brazilian club Corinthians.
Depay is unlikely to start against Japan but Koeman said that he "is getting closer to his top level every day.
"He is our top scorer of all time and we need him," Koeman added.
The latest two games showed this as the Dutch were extremely wasteful and scored all their three goals from penalties by Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.
That is not a good omen against Japan who have kept a clean sheet in their last five matches, with Tunisia and Sweden the other group stage opponents.
However, confidence remains high in the Oranje camp which boasts several top players in van Dijk, Gakpo, Denzel Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Donyell Malen.
Barcelona's de Jong said that last year's narrow Nations League defeat on penalties against European champions Spain "showed that we are competitive.
"I don't think that any team will enjoy playing against us at the World Cup," he said.
Koeman agreed, saying: "We have a team that is difficult to beat. We have full faith that we will play a good tournament."
Added striker Wout Weghorst: "There is only one goal for us and that is becoming world champions."
