Netherlands v Japan: Kamada Rescues Point for Samurai Blue in Dallas Thriller

• Daichi Kamada’s 89th-minute header earned Japan a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands after the Samurai Blue fell behind twice in a gripping Group F opener at Dallas Stadium.
• Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville had given Ronald Koeman’s side a lead on two occasions, only for Keito Nakamura and Kamada to drag Japan level each time.
• Japan, who beat Germany and Spain after conceding first at Qatar 2022, showed the same fighting spirit to deny a Dutch side containing eight Premier League starters.

Japan Fight Back Twice to Deny Dutch in Pulsating Second Half

Japan rescued a deserved point against the Netherlands in one of the most entertaining matches of the opening round, substitute Koki Ogawa’s header deflecting off Daichi Kamada and past Bart Verbruggen with two minutes remaining to cap a pulsating second half in Dallas. Ronald Koeman’s side had twice taken the lead through Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville, but Japan’s refusal to accept defeat echoed the spirit that carried them past Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022.

The first half under the roof at Dallas Stadium was a more cautious affair. The Netherlands posed the greater threat with Donyell Malen the main danger, forcing three saves from Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Cody Gakpo also tested Suzuki as Koeman’s side probed for an opening. Japan were not without chances of their own, Nakamura and Ayase Ueda both going close to suggest the Samurai Blue would not be cowed by the three-time finalists.

The match exploded into life after the restart. Van Dijk rose to meet a Ryan Gravenberch cross in the 50th minute and headed back across goal with trademark precision to give the Netherlands the lead. The Liverpool captain was named Player of the Match for a commanding display at both ends of the pitch.

Japan, as they had done so memorably four years earlier, responded to falling behind with increased urgency rather than deflation. Just seven minutes after Van Dijk’s header, Nakamura collected the ball and unleashed a superb low strike that carried too much power for Verbruggen. The equalizer arrived at the end of a breathless 14-minute spell that had transformed a cagey contest into a thriller.

The Netherlands restored their advantage with a moment of genuine quality in the 64th minute. Summerville, making only his third Oranje appearance, cut inside from the wing and curled a perfectly measured low drive that clipped the inside of the post and nestled in the net beyond Suzuki’s outstretched arm. At 2-1, Koeman’s side looked set to become the early Group F frontrunners.

Japan refused to wilt. Wave after wave of blue shirts pushed forward, and the reward arrived in the 89th minute. A corner swung into the box found Ogawa, whose header flicked off Kamada on its way past Verbruggen. The thousands of Samurai Blue fans who had traveled to Texas erupted, and the celebrations on the Japan bench told the story of a point that felt like a victory.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged the mixed emotions of a draw earned through sheer force of will. “I’m disappointed that we failed to win, but even though we fell behind twice, the players never gave up and fought hard together as a team. While earning only a point is a little disappointing, we managed to get a result through our collective effort. We defended patiently and then tried to be more aggressive going forward. The players executed what we had planned and prepared for,” Moriyasu said.

Kamada, the Crystal Palace midfielder whose deflected header completed the comeback, spoke about the team’s mentality and the lessons of Qatar. “We were saying before the match that we needed to get at least a point. The game turned into a difficult one, but we were able to show what we had prepared, and it was good that we managed to come away with at least a point. Against a strong side like the Netherlands, if you go 1-0 down, it can easily become 2-0 or 3-0. The fact we fought back and earned a draw shows the character of this team. We had a disappointing second match at the last World Cup [against Costa Rica], so this time we want to get three points and secure qualification,” Kamada said.

For the Netherlands, there will be frustration at squandering a winning position twice against opponents ranked 18th in the world. Koeman’s starting lineup contained no home-based players for the first time in Dutch World Cup history, with eight of the eleven plying their trade in the Premier League. The quality was evident in Van Dijk’s header and Summerville’s curling finish, but so too was the inability to close out the match when the advantage was theirs.

Japan have been widely tipped as dark horses for this tournament, and their display in Dallas did nothing to dispel that notion. They showed resilience, tactical discipline and a relentless attacking intent that will concern every side left to face them. The Netherlands meet Sweden on Saturday, while Japan face Tunisia on Sunday with both sides knowing a victory would put them in a strong position to advance from Group F.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

More articles by Jarrod →