World Cup in his blood: Netherlands' Van Hecke hopes to follow in his uncle's footsteps

His uncle Jan Poortvliet played in defence for the Dutch team during the 1978 final, a match they lost to hosts Argentina after extra time.

Van Hecke is expected to start on Sunday in Dallas as the Netherlands begin their Group F campaign against Japan, partnering captain Virgil van Dijk at centre back.

'An enormous sense of pride,' he told reporters. 'It is fantastic to be here.'

Van Hecke has been given his chance after Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the tournament through injury.

'It has always been my dream, but it was his dream too,' Van Hecke said. 'It is a real shame that his dream has been shattered.'

Ironically, Van Hecke's uncle also broke into the Dutch side in 1978 under similar circumstances, making his debut for the Netherlands just a fortnight before the World Cup started and being selected for the squad as something of an outsider.

But when first choice left back Hugo Hovenkamp got injured, Poortvliet was given his chance to play.

'Hugo was in the best form of his life, but that is how things sometimes work out,' Poortvliet told Dutch television channel NOS.

He went on to play six matches in Argentina, showing his versatility at left back, right back and as a defensive midfielder.

Uncle coached nephew

Poortvliet, now 70, has managed several Dutch clubs, spent six months at Southampton in 2008 and briefly coached Van Hecke at under 17 level.

'Even back then he had that strong determination to seize every opportunity,' he said of his nephew, now at Brighton and Hove Albion.

'Jan Paul is so steady, impossible to knock off course, both in football and in life. What he has achieved is very impressive. He may occasionally have a poor game, but he stays focused.'

Van Hecke told reporters last week that he expected a difficult start for the Dutch against Japan.

'We face a strong opponent straight away. Winning 1-0 at Wembley against England says a lot. In my opinion, my teammate Kaoru Mitoma was their best player.

'I am very sorry for him that he had to withdraw from the World Cup because of injury and will miss the tournament. But even without Mitoma, Japan have a strong team,' Van Hecke said.