Netherlands Tactics In 2-2 World Cup Draw With Japan: Koeman Defends Choices

The Netherlands opened their World Cup Group F campaign with a 2-2 draw against Japan in Arlington, after twice moving ahead but failing to close out the result, and Ronald Koeman insisted the tactical changes made late on, including a switch to a more defensive shape, were not to blame for the dropped points.

Daichi Kamada struck late to secure a point for Japan, cancelling out earlier goals from Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville, and the result meant the Netherlands failed to win a World Cup match in which they led on two separate occasions for the first time in their tournament history.

Summerville, who became the first Netherlands player to score a debut World Cup goal for the national side since Daley Blind against Brazil in 2014, was substituted shortly after finding the net, with Nathan Ake introduced as an extra defender as Koeman attempted to protect the advantage in the closing stages.

Despite that change, Japan levelled again, and Koeman highlighted issues out wide as a key reason for conceding twice. "So if you look at the game, both goals, well, we didn't defend well, he told reporters. Football is a funny game because, after Japan scored the second goal, they started defending as well. So we could have scored a third goal. So I don't regret my choices."

The match featured limited clear chances for both sides, reflected in the expected goals data, with the Netherlands recording 0.78 xG compared to Japan's 0.59 xG, yet all four goals arrived during a lively second half after a goalless first period at Dallas Stadium.

This fixture became the first World Cup game to finish 2-2, after a 0-0 half-time scoreline, since Germany's draw with Ghana in 2014, while Japan came from behind twice to avoid defeat at the finals for only the second time, repeating the pattern of a 2-2 result against Senegal in 2018.

Koeman accepted that the Netherlands must improve if they are to progress deep into the World Cup. "Of course, we can perform better, and we need to grow during the tournament, Koeman added. This definitely was not our best performance. Of course, we would have preferred to win the first game. We expected to."

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised the resilience of the players but believed more was possible against the Netherlands. "The Netherlands were very strong, we were trailing behind, a very difficult opponent, the players were united as one, tenacious, they fought to the end and did not cease to persevere, Moriyasu told reporters. Of course, we're not completely satisfied with just the one point for the draw."

With Group F now finely balanced after the Netherlands and Japan shared points, both teams left Dallas Stadium aware of areas to address, as the Netherlands look to sharpen defensive work on the flanks and Japan reflect on missed chances despite a spirited comeback against one of the group favourites.