Japan battle back to draw 2-2 with Netherlands in Texas thriller

ARLINGTON: ​Japan showed their battling qualities to salvage a ​2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday as Hajime Moriyasu's side backed up their desire to make an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.

Daichi Kamada was credited with his side's all-important second goal in the 88th minute when the ball deflected off the Crystal Palace midfielder's head to beat Bart Verbruggen after Koki Ogawa had powered his header towards goal.

The equaliser was Japan's second of the match. The Samurai Blue had ⁠gone behind to Crysencio Summerville's curling strike having seen Keito Nakamura cancel out Virgil van Dijk's 51st-minute opener.

Japan's Koki Ogawa and Yukinari Sugawara celebrate after Daichi Kamada scored their second goal REUTERS

Reijnders' free kick was headed clear by Doan to Frenkie de Jong and he shuttled possession ​to Ryan ‌Gravenberch ⁠for the Liverpool man to send an inviting cross towards his clubmate, who nodded beyond Suzuki via the inside of the post.

Japan had been second best after the interval but within seven minutes they levelled when Nakamura drove a deflected strike into the bottom corner ​from Takefusa Kubo's cutback.

Ogawa powered his header towards goal and, with the ball taking a deflection off the head of the unwitting Kamada, Verbruggen was unable to deny the Japanese a second equaliser. — Reuters

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu applauds their fans as he leaves the pitch after the match REUTERS