Japan scored an 89th-minute equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Texas on Sunday, twice fighting back to open both teams’ FIFA World Cup campaigns with a dramatic share of the points. After a first half that “bubbled away,” the contest burst into life after the break, with Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville putting the Dutch in front on two occasions before Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada hauled Japan level.
In front of 69,285 spectators, the Netherlands looked set to see out a narrow win after Summerville’s curled finish just after the hour. But Japan’s persistence paid off late on, with Kamada credited with the equaliser after a deflection from a corner, ensuring the Group F meeting ended 2-2.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team were “not completely satisfied with the draw,” but stressed the quality of the opposition and his side’s approach. “But the Netherlands are a top-class team and we tried to compete at the same level,” Moriyasu said. “We were tenacious but patient and kept calm.”
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, meanwhile, said he was disappointed not to win and pointed to defending as the issue. “I am disappointed that we did not win,” Koeman said. “But I am not that negative,” he added, before saying: “I saw a team that has made great progress. Of course we can perform better and need to grow during the tournament.”
How the 2-2 thriller unfolded
The Netherlands started confidently and nearly struck inside three minutes when Donyell Malen swivelled and forced a smart save from Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Malen continued to test Suzuki, later working him again with a header from a corner as the Dutch threatened most from aerial situations.
Japan’s supporters were prominent throughout, and their team’s first real opening arrived shortly before half-time. A cross evaded the backtracking Summerville, but Nakamura pulled his effort wide, leaving the game goalless at the interval.
The breakthrough came early in the second half, and it followed the pattern of Dutch danger in the air. On 51 minutes, Liverpool defender Van Dijk rose to meet a pinpoint cross from club team-mate Ryan Gravenberch, planting a well-placed header into the bottom corner to put the Netherlands 1-0 up.
Japan’s response was immediate. The lead lasted only six minutes, with Nakamura wriggling free and firing low past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The shot took a small deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke on its way in, but the goal levelled the match at 1-1 and shifted the momentum into a frantic spell.
The Netherlands regained the advantage on 64 minutes through Summerville. The West Ham winger beat his man on the right wing and produced a “delicious curled finish” with his left foot into Suzuki’s bottom-right corner, restoring the Dutch lead at 2-1.
Both teams made changes as the match opened up further, and chances came at both ends as the Netherlands tried to manage the game and Japan searched for another way back. The decisive moment arrived late, when Japan won a corner and Kamada’s effort in a chaotic sequence was credited as the equaliser after a deflection, making it 2-2 in the 89th minute.
Coaches react after late Japan leveller
Moriyasu highlighted his team’s composure in the face of going behind twice, while acknowledging the draw did not fully satisfy Japan. Koeman, who faced pointed questions from Dutch media after the match, said he was disappointed not to take all three points and referenced defending, while also insisting he saw progress and room to improve during the tournament.
What it means for Group F
The draw gives both teams a point to start their World Cup campaigns in a group described as competitive-looking. Japan’s next match is against Tunisia on Saturday, according to Moriyasu. The other Group F game of the day was set to see Sweden face Tunisia later Sunday.
For Japan, the late equaliser underlined their resilience and ensured they avoided a damaging opening defeat. For the Netherlands, the inability to protect a second-half lead twice will be a frustration, even as Koeman pointed to progress and the need to grow as the tournament continues.