Japan’s gamers rejoice after scoring a purpose in opposition to the Netherlands in a Group F match on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Arlington, Texas, June 14, 2026. /VCG
Japan fought again after trailing twice to earn a 2-2 draw in opposition to the Netherlands, in an entertaining Group F match to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign within the Dallas suburb of Arlington on Sunday.
Following a cagey first 45 minutes that featured comparatively few attacking threats from both aspect, the competition opened up dramatically after the intermission, with each groups buying and selling objectives in a energetic second half.
The Netherlands broke the impasse within the 51st minute, when captain Virgil van Dijk was left unmarked contained in the penalty space and powered a header into the online off a move from Ryan Gravenberch.
Japan responded six minutes later, as Takefusa Kubo fed Keito Nakamura outdoors the field earlier than the winger unleashed a low strike that deflected off Jan Paul van Hecke, beating goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to knot the rating at 1-1.
Coach Ronald Koeman’s Oranje restored their benefit within the sixty fourth minute, due to a wonderful particular person effort from Crysencio Summerville. Cutting inside from the appropriate flank, the ahead bypassed an overlapping Denzel Dumfries and fired a left-footed shot in off the publish, past the attain of Japanese shot-stopper Zion Suzuki.
Japan’s Daichi Kamada (R) heads the ball towards the online in opposition to the Netherlands in a Group F match on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Arlington, Texas, June 14, 2026. /VCG
Needing one other reply, the Samurai Blue steadily elevated the stress as coach Hajime Moriyasu reshaped his unit by utilizing all 5 substitutions.
The modifications helped shift the momentum towards the Asian aspect, which spent the closing phases pushing the Dutch protection deeper and deeper into its personal half of the sphere.
Those efforts paid off two minutes from time. Junya Ito’s nook kick was first met by substitute Koki Ogawa, together with his header glancing off Daichi Kamada earlier than slipping away from the grasp of Verbruggen, who might solely assist additional nudge the ball into the Netherlands web.
Japan’s late equalizer ensured that every workforce would accept one level to kick off Group F, with the end result including to the Samurai Blue’s fame for fortitude on the World Cup stage, whereas denying the Oranje a gap victory.
Other outcomes:
Germany 7-1 Curacao (Group E)
Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador (Group E)
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (Group F)
Source: CGTN