Japan come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Dutch at World Cup

Japan came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday as they stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Daichi Kamada deflected a header from Koki Ogawa into the roof of the net in the 88th minute to award the fighting Samurai Blue.

Captain Virgil van Dijk headed the Dutch ahead in the 51st minute off Ryan Gravenberch‘s cross and Crysencio Summerville restored the lead in the 64th with a classy shot into the far left corner.

Japan had levelled for the first time from Keito Nakamura‘s low shot in the 57th as the game came to live after the break following a cagey first half in which chances were sparse.

The Japanese maintained their unbeaten streak even though the draw ended a run of six victories, including against Brazil and at Wembley against England.

They had also not conceded in five matches until Liverpool’s van Dijk ended that run. They are considered dark horses and finally want to win a knock-out match after four last 16 defeats when they got out of the group.

The Dutch are three-time finalists and went out on penalties in the quarter-finals against eventual champions Argentina in 2022.

The other teams in the group are Tunisia and Sweden who meet later on Sunday at the Mexican venue of Monterrey.