Orange party stopped after all
©IMAGO
The Netherlands lost an opening win at the World Cup against Japan. Despite taking the lead twice, Bond coach Ronald Koeman’s team had to settle for a 2-2 (0-0). The late goal by ex-Frankfurt player Daichi Kamada (89th minute) severely dampened the mood for the Oranje party in the Dallas stadium.
The 1-0 lead for the Netherlands through captain and defense chief Virgil van Dijk (50th) only lasted seven minutes because Keito Nakamura was quickly able to equalize for Japan. When Crysencio Summerville (64th) scored to make it 2-1, the many Dutch fans celebrated extensively. But Kamada eventually became a party crasher. In the second group game next Saturday, the Dutch will face Sweden. Japan meets Tunisia.
Japan started with three Bundesliga professionals. Ritsu Doan from Frankfurt even led his team onto the field as captain. Somewhat surprisingly, the former Gladbach player Ko Itakura, who was appointed captain after the ailing Wataru Endo was eliminated from the World Cup, initially only sat on the bench.
But the Dutch had the first chance of the game. Former Dortmund player Donyell Malen tanked his way into the opponent’s penalty area and his shot was missed by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki (3′), who made a brilliant save.
Koeman’s team had more possession from the start, but the Japanese defended compactly and skillfully. So it initially became a game of patience without many great opportunities. The Oranje were particularly in danger from set pieces: Malen’s header was again denied by Suzuki after a corner (34′), and two minutes later Cody Gakpo slipped while attempting a shot from a free kick.
On the other side, the Dutch around van Dijk initially defended Japan’s sporadic attacks without any problems. Shortly before the half-time whistle, Japan had two good chances through Nakamura and Ayase Ueda, both of whom shot just wide of the goal.
After the break, a completely different picture emerged: the game immediately picked up speed. After an outstanding cross from Ryan Gravenberch, van Dijk was able to head almost unhindered into the far corner, the ball bounced off the inside post and into the net. Tsuyoshi Watanabe had lost sight of the advanced Liverpool professional.
The lead didn’t last long because Japan was unfazed by the setback and Nakamura was able to quickly equalize with a low shot. But the Japanese’s celebration was also short-lived: winger Summerville was ice-cold in the penalty area.
After 70 minutes, Memphis Depay came on as a substitute for the Dutch. The team’s top scorer in the World Cup qualification is not yet fully fit again after many injuries. The Japanese opened up their defense more in the final phase and pushed for the equalizer, which Kamada managed to achieve after a corner.