Japan twice come from behind to snatch 2-2 World Cup draw with Netherlands in Dallas

Japan refused to be beaten in their World Cup Group F opener, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands at Dallas Stadium on Sunday. Daichi Kamada’s 88th-minute deflection off Koki Ogawa’s powerful header denied Ronald Koeman’s side all three points and earned Hajime Moriyasu’s team a hard-fought share of the spoils.

A tense first half offered few clear chances, though the Dutch came closest when Donyell Malen forced Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki into an early save in the third minute. Japan grew into the game, with Keito Nakamura pulling a shot wide and Ayase Ueda hitting the side netting late in the half.

The Netherlands broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half. Frenkie de Jong picked up a headed clearance from Tijjani Reijnders’ free kick and found Ryan Gravenberch, whose cross was met by Virgil van Dijk, who nodded home via the inside of the post.

Japan levelled within seven minutes. Takefusa Kubo’s cutback from the byline found Nakamura in the area, and the winger drove a deflected shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

Parity lasted only seven minutes. Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead with a precisely placed left-foot curler from just inside the area that bent beyond Suzuki.

With Japan pressing for another equaliser, substitute Ogawa powered a header towards goal in the 88th minute. The ball deflected off Kamada and looped beyond Bart Verbruggen, completing Japan’s second comeback of the afternoon and splitting the points in Group F.