Japan and Netherlands draw 2-2 after late equaliser in World Cup opener

TEXAS: Japan struck in the 88th minute to earn a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands on Sunday after coming from behind twice in the teams’ opening World Cup match in front of a crowd of 69,285.

After a first half in which clear chances were limited, the game opened up after the break. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk put his side ahead with a header, but Keito Nakamura replied soon after. Crysencio Summerville then restored the Dutch lead shortly after the hour before Japan found another equaliser late on, with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited after the ball took a deflection.

Second-half goals change the game

The Netherlands began with greater attacking intent and almost went in front inside three minutes when Donyell Malen turned inside the penalty area and forced a save from Zion Suzuki. Malen later tested the Japanese goalkeeper again with a header from a corner, while Cody Gakpo also had an effort that went over.

Japan’s first significant opening came a few minutes before half-time. A cross got past the recovering Summerville, but Nakamura sent a low shot wide. The Dutch had posed the greater aerial threat for much of the contest, and that pressure told six minutes into the second half when Liverpool defender Van Dijk headed into the bottom corner from a precise cross by club teammate Ryan Gravenberch.

Japan responded quickly. On 57 minutes, Nakamura broke free and fired low past Bart Verbruggen, with the ball appearing to take a slight touch off Jan Paul van Hecke on its way in. In another shift in momentum, the Netherlands moved back in front on 64 minutes when Summerville beat his marker on the right and curled a left-footed finish into Suzuki’s bottom-right corner.

Japan hit back again

Both sides then made substitutions and created further openings, but the Dutch could not hold on. Japan found their leveller from a corner near the end, with Kamada credited for the goal after a deflection in a crowded area.

The match was one of the more eye-catching fixtures in Group F, even with both teams missing key players through injury. The Netherlands, three-time runners-up at the World Cup, and Japan, who have never advanced beyond the last 16, had both been viewed as sides capable of making a strong run in the tournament.

Group F action continues later on Sunday when Sweden play Tunisia.