With Corinthians idol Memphis Depay coming on midway through the second half, the Netherlands and Japan had an eventful debut in the first game of Group F of the World Cup. 2-2 was fair in the match played at the modern Dallas Cowboys stadium.
After a goalless first half, the Netherlands opened the scoring at the beginning of the second half, but the Japanese equalized afterwards. The European team took the lead again, but, almost at the end, suffered another draw.
The group still has Sweden and Tunisia in the bracket, with special interest for the Brazilian team. This is because the champion of F faces the second-placed team of C in the next phase, and vice versa — Brazil is alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.
From the first half, the European team had more possession of the ball and worked more in midfield. However, the Japanese speed on the counterattack always worried the rival defense, especially defender/full-back Van de Veen, who suffered from Nakamura’s attacks.
After just 2 minutes, the Netherlands had the first good chance with Malen, who stopped in the save of goalkeeper Suzuki. The attacker had two other chances with headers, always with Suzuki attentive.
On the other side, Nakamura was the main threat to the goal saved by Verbruggen — who had his lineup in doubt until the day before the game.
In the second half, the game gained momentum with the goal after just 5 minutes involving Liverpool players. After a cross, the ball fell to Gravenberch, who threw the ball back into the area and found Van Dijk, who headed it into the corner — it was the defender and captain’s first goal in World Cups.
The Japanese response was not long in coming. Nakamura advanced in the 11th minute, again on the left of the attack, and shot from outside the area. The ball deflected before reaching Verbruggen’s goal.
The game continued to be lively and young striker Summerville made a great individual play on the right, cut inside and finished with his left foot. The ball even touched the post before entering Suzuki’s goal.
Shortly after the hydration stop, Memphis Depay entered the field in place of Malen. The Corinthians striker did little. In fact, not to say that he went through the game unnoticed, he went up to play for a ball 37 minutes into the second half and left his arm open, hitting his rival and being awarded a yellow card.
In turn, the Japanese went for it all or nothing in the final minutes, with several crosses into the Brighton goalkeeper’s area. On a corner kick in the 43rd minute, Ogawa managed to get a header in, the ball deflected off Kamada and went in, 2-2.
The Japanese return to the field in Mexico, where they face Tunisia on the 21st, in Monterrey. The Netherlands plays against Sweden, on the 20th, in Houston.
