Japan rallies twice to secure a 2-2 World Cup draw with the Netherlands

Japan secured an 88th‑minute equaliser, pulling back twice to finish a 2‑2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 spectators in Texas on Sunday, opening their World Cup campaigns.

The first half was largely uneventful, but the second half saw a flurry of action. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a well‑placed header, only for Keito Nakamura to level shortly after. Winger Crysencio Summerville then curled a shot into the bottom corner just after the hour mark.

The Dutch appeared poised to hold the advantage, but Japan responded late, with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection.

Sweden will face Tunisia in a competitive Group F match later Sunday.

Both Japan and the Netherlands are missing key players through injury, yet the fixture was considered one of the more intriguing group‑stage encounters. The Dutch have finished as runners‑up three times, while Japan has never advanced beyond the last 16.

The Netherlands began confidently, nearly taking the lead after three minutes when Donyell Malen was allowed to swivel inside the box, forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki. The air‑conditioned arena, normally home to the Dallas Cowboys, displayed the NFL team’s cheerleaders on a massive screen during the hydration break.

The stoppage seemed to benefit the Dutch. Ronald Koeman’s side saw Roma forward Malen again work Suzuki with a header from a corner, and Cody Gakpo fired wildly over the bar. Japan’s fans, who had been singing loudly and outnumbered the Dutch contingent, were briefly silenced.

Japan’s first real chance came a few minutes before the break when a cross evaded the backtracking Summerville, but Nakamura pulled his low effort wide.

The Dutch’s aerial threat was evident, and it was no surprise when Van Dijk rose to plant a well‑placed header into the bottom corner after a pinpoint cross from club teammate Ryan Gravenberch at the 51st minute.

The lead lasted only six minutes. Nakamura wriggled free and fired low past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the ball taking a small deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke.

In a madcap period of play, the Dutch forged ahead again on the 64th minute when West Ham’s Summerville beat his man on the right wing and curled a left‑foot shot into Suzuki’s bottom‑right corner.

Both teams made substitutions and had further chances to score before Kamada’s chaotic leveller from a corner.

Vanguard News

The post Japan fight back twice to hold Netherlands to thrilling 2‑2 World Cup draw appeared first on Vanguard News.