Japan snatched a dramatic late equaliser to hold the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their opening Group F match at the World Cup on Sunday, as Daichi Kamada’s 88th-minute header sparked wild celebrations among Samurai Blue supporters at AT&T Stadium.
The Dutch looked set to begin their campaign with victory after a frantic second half in Texas produced three goals in 14 minutes, but Kamada rose highest to meet Koki Ogawa’s corner late on and deny the Oranje all three points.
After a quiet first half, the Netherlands broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart through captain Virgil van Dijk.
The towering defender bent forward to glance a header toward the far post, with the ball bouncing in off the upright for his 13th international goal.
Japan responded seven minutes later when Keito Nakamura collected a pass from Takefusa Kubo on the edge of the area before turning sharply and drilling a low effort beyond Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The eighth-ranked Dutch regained the lead in the 64th minute as Crysencio Summerville finished off a flowing move.
Ryan Gravenberch slipped a pass into the winger’s path and his left-footed strike clipped the far post on its way into the net.
With time running out, Japan mounted one final push and found their reward two minutes from full time. Ogawa whipped in a dangerous corner and Kamada timed his run perfectly to power a header goalward.
Verbruggen managed to get both hands to the ball with a desperate dive, but could not prevent it crossing the line.
The draw extended the Netherlands’ unbeaten run in World Cup group-stage matches to 16 games, although their supporters were left stunned by Japan’s late comeback.
The result leaves both sides with a point ahead of their next fixtures in Group F. The Netherlands will face Sweden in Houston on Saturday, while Japan travel to Monterrey, Mexico, to take on Tunisia.
