Race in the World Cup: Japan draws with the Netherlands with a late goal
The Netherlands and Japan teams finished 2-2 at the AT&T Stadium, in Dallas, Texas, in the first round of Group F of the World Cup.
After a balanced first half, alternating opportunities, the teams returned from the dressing rooms determined. Van Dijk opened the scoring after five minutes, Nakamura equalized. Sumerville made it 2-1 and everything seemed to be heading towards a Dutch victory, until Kamada, with a header, left everything even in the final minutes.
The game
The Netherlands started pressing in the opening minutes and forced goalkeeper Suzuki to make a great save, gaining more possession of the ball. The Japanese made good transitions, and balanced the duel after the first half of the first stage.
On the Clockwork Orange side, Gakpo was left free from marking inside the area, but shot wide. Nakamura returned the scare with a right-footed shot after a corner that also went wide. At the end of the first half, Ueda invaded the area with a shot, and deceived the fans in the stands by hitting the net from the outside.
The second half started with the Netherlands valuing ball possession and exploiting the aerial ball, their main weapon. After five minutes, Gravenberch crossed for Van Dijk to go up alone and open the scoring.
Without rushing, the team began to exchange passes in the middle, and in a quick move, Japan reached the goal with Nakamura. The number 13 hit from the edge of the area, the ball deflected off Van Hecke and deceived goalkeeper Verbruggen for 1-1.
The equality on the scoreboard did not last long. Seven minutes later, following another pass from Gravenberch, Sumerville cut to the middle and struck with skill to score a beautiful goal and put the Netherlands ahead again.
Memphis Depay came to the field, and Japan also made their changes, turning the game into a give-and-take: Kubo took a risk from afar, scaring Verbruggen, and Gapko arrived with danger, hitting Suzuki's goal.
In the final minutes, Japan was the one who exploited the aerial ball. Even at a disadvantage against one of the highest teams in the tournament, Ogawa headed the ball and had a header from his teammate Kamada to make it 2-2.
Source: CNN