Ronald Koeman expects higher from his Netherlands gamers, as he insisted he had “no regrets” over his choices in opposition to Japan.
The Netherlands began their World Cup Group F marketing campaign with a 2-2 draw at Dallas Stadium.
Daichi Kamada netted late on for Japan, who twice got here from behind, recovering from targets by Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville.
Summerville, the primary participant to attain his first objective for the Netherlands within the World Cup since Daley Blind in opposition to Brazil in 2014, was taken off shortly after scoring, and changed by Nathan Ake in a defensive change.
But the Netherlands couldn’t maintain out. Koeman, nonetheless, noticed no points together with his change in strategy as he tried to shut out the win.
“There was additionally an issue with strain on the flanks. So for those who have a look at the sport, each targets, effectively, we did not defend effectively,” he advised reporters.
“Soccer is a humorous recreation as a result of, after Japan scored the second objective, they began defending as effectively.
“So we might have scored a 3rd objective. So I do not remorse my decisions.”
𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝟐-𝟐 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧
It ended stage in Arlington in any case 4 targets arrived in a back-and-forth second half.
This was the primary time the Netherlands have did not win a World Cup recreation through which they led twice.#NEDJPN pic.twitter.com/WyLlyzISsl
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 14, 2026
It was a recreation of few clear possibilities, as demonstrated by the Netherlands’ 0.78 anticipated targets to Japan’s 0.59 xG.
This was the primary time the Netherlands took the lead twice in a World Cup match however did not go on and win, and solely the second time Japan trailed twice however averted defeat on the finals, after a 2-2 draw in opposition to Senegal in 2018.
“After all, we are able to carry out higher, and we have to develop throughout the event,” Koeman added.
“This positively was not our greatest efficiency.
“After all, we’d have most well-liked to win the primary recreation. We anticipated to.”
This was the primary World Cup match to be goalless at half-time however then finish in a draw through which either side scored twice since Germany 2-2 Ghana in 2014.
And whereas Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was delighted together with his crew’s resolve, he felt they left factors on the desk.
“The Netherlands had been very robust, we had been trailing behind, a really tough opponent, the gamers had been united as one, tenacious, they fought to the finish and didn’t stop to persevere,” Moriyasu advised reporters.
“After all, we’re not fully glad with simply the one level for the draw.”
