Japan strikes late after Dutch control
Japan rescued a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in a tense Group F match outside Dallas, with Daichi Kamada scoring in the 89th minute just when the Dutch looked ready to take early control of a difficult group.
The equaliser sparked huge celebrations from the Japanese bench and supporters. Kamada’s deflected finish from a corner turned the mood of the game and gave Japan what their coach Hajime Moriyasu later called a very meaningful point.
The match had energy from the start. Inside the stadium, Japan’s blue shirts and the Netherlands’ orange created a bright setting for a game that quickly became one of the more entertaining fixtures of the group stage.
Japan started with attacking midfielders in the wing-back roles and used the back three that Moriyasu has trusted since the previous World Cup. The Netherlands, meanwhile, began without Memphis Depay in the starting XI, with Donyell Malen leading the attack.
Van Dijk and Summerville put the Dutch ahead twice
The Netherlands had the better early chances. Malen nearly scored after three minutes with a strong turn and shot, but Zion Suzuki saved well. From there, the Dutch controlled long spells of possession, with Frenkie de Jong dictating the tempo in midfield.
Japan still had moments of danger through their press and quick attacks. Keito Nakamura came close before half-time after a move down the right, but his effort went just wide.
At the break, the Netherlands had 67% possession and had completed far more passes, showing their control of the match. Five minutes into the second half, that control became a lead when Virgil van Dijk headed the ball in off the far post.
Japan reacted quickly. Six minutes later, Nakamura struck a right-footed shot that took a deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke and found the corner to make it 1-1.
The Dutch answered again in the 64th minute. Crysencio Summerville received the ball from Ryan Gravenberch, moved inside from the right and curled a fine left-footed finish into the far corner.
Kamada gives Japan a valuable point
After falling behind for a second time, Japan regrouped and pushed forward in the closing stages. The Netherlands tried to manage their narrow lead, but Japan kept applying pressure and forced the decisive moment late on.
A left-wing corner created the chance, and Kamada’s effort found the net with a deflection in the 89th minute. The goal gave Japan a deserved point and left Group F open after one of the most balanced games of the tournament so far.
Moriyasu praised the level of the opponent and admitted Japan could learn from the Dutch. Still, his side showed again that they can compete with leading international teams and stay alive in difficult matches.
For the Netherlands, the draw will feel like a missed chance. They led twice, controlled large parts of the game and had the quality to close it out, but Japan’s persistence changed the result near the end.
