A late goal from Daichi Kamada secured a 2-2 draw for Japan against the Netherlands in front of a passionate crowd in Texas during the ongoing FIFA World Cup on Monday.
The Netherlands took the lead early in the second half through Virgil Van Dijk, but Japan’s Nakamura equalized shortly afterwards. Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead in the 64th minute. However, Kamada’s strike in the 88th minute denied the Netherlands victory, resulting in both teams sharing a point.
The Netherlands dominated possession with nearly 60%, and both teams recorded 10 shots each. The Dutch had six shots on target compared to Japan’s three.
Early in the match, Japan avoided conceding when goalkeeper Zion Suzuki saved an effort from Donyell Malen. Japan earned a free kick after Nakamura was fouled by Van de Ven, though Kamada failed to convert. Taniguchi created a chance in the 15th minute, but it was blocked by Jan Paul van Hecke. In the 34th minute, Tijjani Reijnders’ corner found Malen whose header was saved.
At half-time, the score remained 0-0. The Netherlands had nearly 70% possession, 14 touches in Japan’s box compared to seven, and five shots to Japan’s three.
Following the break, Gakpo won a free kick in the 51st minute, though the Dutch attack was repelled. A cross from Ryan Gravenberch found Van Dijk, who scored a clinical goal to put the Netherlands ahead. Nakamura equalized in the 57th minute with a strike past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, assisted by Takefusa Kubo.
In the 60th minute, Summerville received a yellow card but was involved again in the 64th minute, scoring a powerful shot from the right side to restore the Dutch lead.
Japan secured the equalizer late in the game as Koki Ogawa rose to meet a corner from Ito, and after a deflection from Kento Shiogai, the ball reached Kamada who scored in the 88th minute. The match ended 2-2 despite six minutes of added time, with both sides earning one point.
Comments are closed.