In a crazy game.. Japan forces a fateful draw against Dutch Windmills

Last Sunday evening in Arlington, Texas, the Japanese team recorded an exciting draw with the Dutch team (2-2) in the first round of Group F of the 2026 World Cup.

Virgil van Dijk first put the Netherlands ahead in the 51st minute, but Keito Nakamura quickly equalized for the Japanese in the 57th minute. The Netherlands then took the lead again through Crescencio Somerville (64th minute), but Koki Ogawa equalized with a deadly header in the 89th minute, in a game that saw the Dutch in clear control, but the Samurai Blue refused to give up and laid siege in the final quarter of an hour to earn them a valuable point. Round of 32 qualification from a group that also includes Sweden and Tunisia.

The first half ended in a goalless draw despite Holland clearly controlling possession as Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side played in a 4-3-3 formation that relied on the dynamism of Mullen, Somerville and Jakob in attack.

While Japan, led by Hajime Moriyasu, played in a 3-4-3 formation that focused on cohesive defense and quick counter-attacks led by Nakamura and Maeda.

Radical transformation

The second half saw a radical change in the Netherlands’ play as Van Dijk opened the scoring with a header while he was completely out of control (51st), before Samurai Blue quickly responded with an equalizer from Nakamura, who turned in a superb pass from Kubo with a perfect shot from the edge of the box (57th).

Somerville restored the Dutch lead with a powerful shot that was deceptively deflected after a second decisive pass from the brilliant Gravenberch (64), while Kubo’s powerful shot hit the post (67) in an early warning for the Dutch.

Japanese blockade

The Japanese refused to give up in the final quarter of an hour as they laid a suffocating siege on the Dutch half, led by substitute Junya Ito, who used his speed down the right flank to create several dangerous chances.

Sugawara almost equalized but his shot lacked precision (80) and Van de Ven saved his side with a decisive tackle on Kamada in the box (87) as the Japanese continued to take corners in the dying moments.

Deadly target

Japan were finally rewarded for their insistence when Ogawa rose to the near post from Ito’s right-wing corner and fired in a dangerous header that goalkeeper Verborgen could only turn into his own net (89) to give the Samurai Blues a valuable point to start their campaign in Group Six.