World Cup
Resilient Japan Fight Back Twice to Draw with Dutch
Collected Photo
The Netherlands and Japan produced a thrilling contest. Despite taking the lead twice, the Dutch could not hold off a determined Japanese side as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Netherlands entered the match ranked eighth in the FIFA rankings, while Japan sat in 18th place. The Asian powerhouse held firm in the first half and prevented a team ranked 10 places above them from finding the net.
Neither side scored before halftime. However, the game burst into life after the break, with the two teams combining for three goals in a 13-minute span between the 51st and 64th minutes.
The Netherlands finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Virgil van Dijk powered home a superb header to put the Dutch in front. After Tijjani Reijnders cleared a free kick, the Netherlands quickly launched another attack and worked the ball to Ryan Gravenberch on the right. The Dutch midfielder then delivered a pass into the box for Van Dijk, who guided a brilliant header into the lower-right corner.
Japan did not take long to respond. Keito Nakamura leveled the score in the 57th minute. Takefusa Kubo picked out Nakamura on the left after creating space for himself. Nakamura then cut inside and fired a shot from just outside the penalty area that found the back of the net.
The ball took a slight deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke on its way in.
The Netherlands controlled possession throughout much of the match. Japan, meanwhile, appeared comfortable without the ball. The Japanese knew exactly what they wanted to do and looked to hurt the Dutch on the counterattack. The tactical battle between two contrasting styles of play provided an entertaining spectacle for the crowd.
Cristhian Sommerville scored the Netherlands' second goal in the 64th minute following a superb wing move.
Ryan Gravenberch found space and time in midfield before playing a pass to Sommerville. The forward controlled the ball brilliantly with his right foot and fired a left-footed shot inside the left post to find the net.
The Netherlands led 2-1 until the 87th minute. But Koki Ogawa restored parity a minute later. Rising above the defense, he powered a header into the net from a corner kick.
By holding off the three-time World Cup runners-up, Japan sent a strong message about their quality. They also delivered another remarkable comeback story.