Japan held Group F on Sunday to a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Netherlands by coming back twice from trailing at the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium in Texas. In front of a bumper crowd of 69,285 fans the Asian side found an 88th minute equaliser to spoil Dutch hopes of starting their campaign with a win.
The first half was characterised by an even contest, but the goals flowed in the second as four were scored and some drama surrounded the match. Both sides were missing players through injury heading into the tournament, but put on one of the most thrilling encounters of the first round.
Key Highlights
Japan and the Netherlands comfortably settled for a thrilling 2-2 draw.
1-0 to the Netherlands, as Virgil van Dijk puts his side in front.
Two minutes later, Japan then drew level through a Keito Nakamura goal.
Crysencio Summerville pulled the Netherlands back in front.
Eintracht Frankfurt pulled one back in the 88th minute with a fierce shot from Daichi Kamada.
Van Dijk Hands the Dutch the Lead
The Netherlands had the initial lead and were very close to an early goal when Donyell Malen was denied by a good save from Japanese custodian Zion Suzuki. Koeman’s side had posed the more threatening of threats, particularly from set pieces and aerial attacks in the first-half with Hennessey having been kept busy by a nothing team.
The pressure they applied finally bore fruit six minutes after half-time when captain Virgil van Dijk bulleted home a header from a pinpoint delivery by his Liverpool teammate Ryan Gravenberch to put the Dutch in front.
Japan Respond with Determination
Japan did not let their spirits be dampened and soon responded. But six minutes after Van Dijk’s opener, Keito Nakamura found space in the penalty area and shot low beyond goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to level.
The Dutch hit back in the hour when West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville sunk a moment of class, darting inside before curling a sublime left-footed effort into the bottom corner for 2 — 1.
Match Turning Points
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) Header1-0:3.
Nakamura equalized within six minutes.
The Dutch quickly answered with a gorgeous strike from Summerville.
Japan was pressing despite being down late in the match.
Kamada Goal Completed Late Equaliser
With the game approaching its final 10 minutes both teams made substitutions and searched for a second goal. Japan finally got into the match deep in second-half injury time when Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada was awarded a goal after his corner kick produced a deflected effort that also found its way across the line.
Japan’s vocal supporters erupted with joy as that late goal meant the points were shared in a thrilling Group F clash.
Group F Off to an Exciting Start
The draw leaves both sides with a point in what promises to be an extremely tough Group F offering for the global footy superpowers, and the Netherlands, three-time World Cup runners-up, will be disappointed not to have held on to victory today whilst Japan will take mighty confidence from being able to claw back into a game after quickly going behind.
The fight for qualification will likely be one of the overarching storylines of the tournament with Sweden and Tunisia also vying for a place.