The Dutch national football team failed to maintain their lead in their first match at the 2026 World Cup, despite taking the lead twice against Japan, and the exciting game ended in a 2-2 draw, so that the Asian representatives remain undefeated in this competition.
Publish dateMonday 15 June 2026 - 10:38
Story Code : 357901
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The Dutch and Japanese national football teams from Group F of the 2026 World Cup faced each other on Sunday evening at 00:30 on Monday morning Afghanistan time at the Dallas Stadium in the United States, with referee Ismail Al-Fateh, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
First half; Holland's possession, Japan's counterattacks
The Dutch started the match aggressively and created the first serious opportunity in the third minute. Cody Hakpo passed Donyell Malen in the penalty area with a good pass, but the Dutch striker's shot was saved by the Japanese goalkeeper.
Ronald Koeman's team controlled the game with short passes and possession, but Japan's solid defense did not allow them to penetrate dangerous areas. In contrast, the Samurai repeatedly put pressure on the opponent's defense with quick counterattacks.
Japan created the most serious opportunity of the first half in the 15th minute. Taniguchi entered the penalty area after receiving the ball on the left and passed the ball to Maeda, but Virgil van Dijk's timely intervention caused the Japanese striker's shot to go just wide of the goal.
In the 43rd minute, Kito Nakamura had a chance in the Dutch penalty area, but his shot from the edge of the goal hit the side netting, Japan's best chance was missed. The first half ended 0-0.
Second half; Samurai Sword Comes Out of the Net
The Dutch started the second half with a bang. In the 51st minute, Ryan Gruenbergh's precise cross from the right was met with a spectacular header by Virgil van Dijk, and the Holland captain fired the ball into the corner of the goal to give the Orange Tulips the lead.
But the Samurai drew their sword. In the 57th minute, Takefusa Kubo played a fine pass to Keito Nakamura, who fired a shot from behind the penalty area into the corner of the Holland goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Holland continued to attack, and in the 64th minute, Ryan Gruenbergh again played in the creative role. His pass reached Crescencio Somerville, and the Dutch winger fired a precise shot past Japan to give Holland the lead for the second time.
In the 67th minute, Donyell Malen came close to scoring with a solo effort but the assistant referee ruled it offside. It seemed that Holland's dream of winning three points was close, but the Samurai did not give up.
The final sword fell in the 89th minute
The Japanese, who had organized more attacks after conceding a second goal, finally achieved their goal in the 89th minute.
A corner kick and continued attacks were accompanied by a pass from Koki Ogawa, and Daichi Kamada headed the ball into the top corner of the Netherlands' goal with a precise header from the middle of the penalty area, leaving the dream of the Orange Tulips on the ground.
The Dutch, who had been ahead twice, could not hold on to their advantage and paid the price for missing various opportunities.
Record-breaking Asian representatives
With this result, Asian teams have not lost at the 2026 World Cup so far. South Korea and Australia had previously beaten their opponents, while Qatar drew with Switzerland.
Daichi Kamada's late goal in the 89th minute was Japan's fourth equaliser in the last 10 minutes of a World Cup, showing that they are still the "great killers" of the game.
Holland coach Ronald Koeman expressed disappointment after the match: "We took the lead twice but we couldn't keep our focus. Japan are a team that fights until the last whistle and they showed us that." Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, on the other hand, said: "My players believed they could come back. This draw is as valuable as a win for us."
First half; Holland's possession, Japan's counterattacks
The Dutch started the match aggressively and created the first serious opportunity in the third minute. Cody Hakpo passed Donyell Malen in the penalty area with a good pass, but the Dutch striker's shot was saved by the Japanese goalkeeper.
Ronald Koeman's team controlled the game with short passes and possession, but Japan's solid defense did not allow them to penetrate dangerous areas. In contrast, the Samurai repeatedly put pressure on the opponent's defense with quick counterattacks.
Japan created the most serious opportunity of the first half in the 15th minute. Taniguchi entered the penalty area after receiving the ball on the left and passed the ball to Maeda, but Virgil van Dijk's timely intervention caused the Japanese striker's shot to go just wide of the goal.
In the 43rd minute, Kito Nakamura had a chance in the Dutch penalty area, but his shot from the edge of the goal hit the side netting, Japan's best chance was missed. The first half ended 0-0.
Second half; Samurai Sword Comes Out of the Net
The Dutch started the second half with a bang. In the 51st minute, Ryan Gruenbergh's precise cross from the right was met with a spectacular header by Virgil van Dijk, and the Holland captain fired the ball into the corner of the goal to give the Orange Tulips the lead.
But the Samurai drew their sword. In the 57th minute, Takefusa Kubo played a fine pass to Keito Nakamura, who fired a shot from behind the penalty area into the corner of the Holland goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Holland continued to attack, and in the 64th minute, Ryan Gruenbergh again played in the creative role. His pass reached Crescencio Somerville, and the Dutch winger fired a precise shot past Japan to give Holland the lead for the second time.
In the 67th minute, Donyell Malen came close to scoring with a solo effort but the assistant referee ruled it offside. It seemed that Holland's dream of winning three points was close, but the Samurai did not give up.
The final sword fell in the 89th minute
The Japanese, who had organized more attacks after conceding a second goal, finally achieved their goal in the 89th minute.
A corner kick and continued attacks were accompanied by a pass from Koki Ogawa, and Daichi Kamada headed the ball into the top corner of the Netherlands' goal with a precise header from the middle of the penalty area, leaving the dream of the Orange Tulips on the ground.
The Dutch, who had been ahead twice, could not hold on to their advantage and paid the price for missing various opportunities.
Record-breaking Asian representatives
With this result, Asian teams have not lost at the 2026 World Cup so far. South Korea and Australia had previously beaten their opponents, while Qatar drew with Switzerland.
Daichi Kamada's late goal in the 89th minute was Japan's fourth equaliser in the last 10 minutes of a World Cup, showing that they are still the "great killers" of the game.
Holland coach Ronald Koeman expressed disappointment after the match: "We took the lead twice but we couldn't keep our focus. Japan are a team that fights until the last whistle and they showed us that." Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, on the other hand, said: "My players believed they could come back. This draw is as valuable as a win for us."
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