Japan coach lauds fightback but draw with Dutch 'disappointing'

Japan defended resolutely in the first half to frustrate the Dutch and launched a few attacks of their own before the match in Texas turned into an end-to-end thriller, with three goals in the space of 13 minutes before ⁠the Blue Samurai levelled two minutes from time.

"The Netherlands were very strong, we were trailing behind, a very difficult opponent, the players were united as one, tenacious, they fought to the end and did not cease to persevere," Moriyasu told a press conference.

"Of course, we're not completely satisfied with just the one point for the draw."

Calm, patience and tenacity

The Dutch went ahead six minutes after the break when captain Virgil van Dijk broke free of his marker to head home a Ryan Gravenberch cross, but Japan levelled soon after when Keito Nakamura fired in a fierce low shot.

Crysencio Summerville replied for the ‌Netherlands ⁠with a brilliant strike in off the far post, before a succession of chances at both ends led to substitute Koki Ogawa equalising with a neat header that found the net off teammate Daichi Kamada.

Moriyasu said despite his team's strong defensive play in the first half, a draw had never been his objective and ⁠he was confident after trailing that his team could stay in the game and even win it.

"Of course, it was tough for them to fight back ... they managed to be tenacious and at the same time be ⁠patient and keep calm and find and seize the opportunities. So I'm very proud that they could keep their own pace," he said.

"We were aiming to get three points, not one point. ⁠So in that point of view, of course it was a little bit disappointing."

Sweden face Tunisia later on Sunday in Monterrey in the other Group F match. Japan will meet Tunisia in Monterrey on June 20.