Arlington: Daichi Kamada's header, assisted by Koki Ogawa in the 88th minute, saved Japan from a World Cup-opening loss. His equalising goal, with two minutes left in the game, sent Samurai Blue fans into a frenzy and helped Japan secure a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Texas.
Although the game started slowly, the second half proved eventful, with the Netherlands taking the lead.
In the 51st minute, following a perfect cross from Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk leapt inside the area and powered a header past the goalkeeper from 10 metres out. The goal gave the Oranje a 1-0 lead.
Keito Nakamura produced an equaliser minutes later with assistance from Takefusa Kubo. However, Crysencio Summerville, assisted by Gravenberch, put the Netherlands back in front with a goal in the 64th minute.
Through an interpreter, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu stated: “Our players managed to be tenacious but, at the same time, patient, and just keep calm while finding and seizing an opportunity.”
In Qatar in 2022, his squad advanced to the Round of 16 for the fourth time.
The Dutch's most recent World Cup setback prior to the elimination rounds occurred during the 1994 tournament in the United States, when they lost to Brazil in the quarter-finals at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Because the Netherlands is the only nation to have reached the final three times without winning the World Cup, there is constant pressure on the team to advance to the knockout stage.
Van Dijk, the second-oldest Dutch goalscorer in a World Cup at 34 years and 341 days, behind Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was 35 years and 151 days when he scored against Uruguay in 2010, said: “It's disappointing now because obviously conceding the lead is never good. It's extra disappointing that we conceded from a set piece so late on."
Coach Ronald Koeman will still be under pressure after the draw in the opening match of Group F, which also includes Sweden and Tunisia.
Through an interpreter, Koeman stated: “I'm disappointed that we didn't win, but that's because we were ahead twice. Many people underestimated Japan, but for the 100,000th time, if you underestimate them, that's your problem. You think Japan's strength was exaggerated before the match? Let's wait until the end of the tournament to see who's right.”
Japan will face Tunisia next, while the Netherlands' next Group F match will be against Sweden.
(With agency input from PTI)
