LOS ANGELES: Japan scored an 88th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 fans in Texas on Sunday to open their World Cup campaigns. A match that had simmered in the first half erupted into life after the break.
Second Half Drama
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to quickly level. Then winger Crysencio Summerville curled a beautiful finish into the bottom corner just after the hour mark. The Dutch looked set to hold on, but Japan equalised at the death, with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection.
Group F Action
Sweden face Tunisia in a competitive-looking Group F match later Sunday. Japan and the Netherlands are in North America missing key players through injury, but on paper this was still one of the more attractive fixtures in the group stage. Both have been touted as dark horses capable of going far at the tournament — the Dutch have been runners-up three times, while Japan have never advanced beyond the last 16.
First Half Chances
The Netherlands made a confident start and nearly took the lead after three minutes when Donyell Malen swivelled inside the box, forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki. The impressive air-conditioned arena, usually home to the Dallas Cowboys, showed the NFL team's cheerleaders on the massive screen during the hydration break. The stoppage seemed to help Ronald Koeman's side, as Roma forward Malen again worked Suzuki with a header from a corner, then Cody Gakpo fired wildly over the bar.
Japan's fans, who had hardly stopped singing and outnumbered the Dutch contingent, were briefly silenced. The first real chance for Hajime Moriyasu's team came a few minutes before the break when a cross evaded the backtracking Summerville, but Nakamura pulled his low effort wide.
Van Dijk Breaks Deadlock
The Dutch had looked most threatening in the air, so it was no surprise when Liverpool talisman Van Dijk rose to plant a well-placed header into the bottom corner after a pinpoint cross from club teammate Ryan Gravenberch on 51 minutes. The lead lasted just six minutes, as Nakamura wriggled free and fired low past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the ball taking a small deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke.
Summerville Restores Lead
In a madcap period of play, the Dutch forged ahead once more on 64 minutes when West Ham's Summerville beat his man on the right wing and curled into Suzuki's bottom-right corner with his left foot. Both teams rang the changes and had chances to score again, before Kamada's chaotic leveller from a corner sealed the draw.
