Ono - could miss out through injury. (Allsport)

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Japan midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara is hoping the co-hosts can cope with the threat posed by a powerful Belgium side in their Group H opener in Saitama on Tuesday.

Japan do not want to become the first host country not to reach the second round of the World Cup and would love to get their campaign off to a flying start against Belgium.

But Ogasawara admitted: "We are more worried about Belgium.

"We know they have big, physical players and we know it will be a real test.

"The first game will be crucial, obviously. It will be important to get a result."

The 23-year-old Kashima Antlers midfielder, who was preferred to playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura when Philippe Troussier named his World Cup squad, is set to replace Shinji Ono if he is ruled out.

But Ogasawara, who has won six caps, expects his team-mate to be fit in time to face the Belgians.

"I have spoken with Shinji quite a lot and he looks as up for it as everyone else, so we're not worried about him," said Ogasawara.

"I'll probably be on the bench to start but there are a number of different jobs I could be asked to do.

"Me and (Hidetoshi) Nakata have a good understanding because we play close together but I might be asked to play a bit deeper if we are winning."