Koeman insists Netherlands must improve despite Japan draw at World Cup

• Ronald Koeman said the Netherlands’ display against Japan must be the team’s “minimal standard” at the World Cup
• Oranje twice surrendered the lead as Daichi Kamada’s late goal secured Japan a 2-2 draw
• Netherlands face Sweden next in Group F after missing the chance to open with victory

Ronald Koeman said the Netherlands must improve as the World Cup progresses despite believing Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Japan showed encouraging signs.

The Dutch twice led at AT&T Stadium but were unable to hold on as Daichi Kamada’s 88th-minute goal earned Japan a point in front of 69,285 supporters.

Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring six minutes after half-time when he headed Oranje in front. Japan responded quickly through Keito Nakamura before Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands’ advantage with a superb curling effort for his first international goal.

However, Kamada’s late intervention, after Koki Ogawa’s goalbound header struck him, denied the Dutch victory and marked the first time in their history they had failed to win a World Cup match after leading on two occasions.

Despite the disappointment, Koeman insisted the performance should form the foundation for the rest of the tournament.

“It is our minimal standard, I should say,” Koeman said. “We need to grow during the tournament.

“We need to perform better. Of course, we would have preferred to win the first game and we were expecting it because we went ahead twice. It didn’t happen but it doesn’t mean that we now think that our performance was not good enough.

“I think there were quite a lot of positive moments during the game so the only way is up.”

Koeman made five substitutions while his side led 2-1, including a triple change during the second-half hydration break as Memphis Depay, Quinten Timber and Teun Koopmeiners were introduced.

Japan gradually gained momentum after the changes and eventually found a way back into the match.

Asked whether he regretted his substitutions, Koeman dismissed the suggestion.

“No, I have no regrets,” he said. “I don’t think we gave the initiative away. Japan started to play differently.

“During the first half, they couldn’t put the forward pressure on us, maybe because of their respect or fear for us, but after they were trailing, they were able to do so.

“After we scored the first goal, our defence started having difficulties. There was also a problem with pressure on the flanks. Both goals, we didn’t defend well.”

Koeman also warned against underestimating Japan after the Asian side’s impressive display.

“I am disappointed that we didn’t win, but that’s because we were ahead twice,” he said.

“Many people underestimate Japan, but for the 100,000th time, if you underestimate them, that’s your problem.”

The Netherlands continue their Group F campaign against Sweden, while Japan will face Tunisia in their second match of the tournament.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.

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