In what was easily the best match of the World Cup to date, Netherlands and Japan played to a 2-2 draw, with both sides exhibiting quality on both ends and all four goals quality strikes and headers.
Japan played a 3-4-3 and was content to defend and counter in the first half. While the defense was strong and there were a few opportunities on the counter, they relied on some quality saves from keeper Zion Suzuki.
The sides went to half in a draw, but things opened up quickly in the second half. Virgil Van Dijk opened the scoring on a strong header across goal in the 51st minute, but Japan equalized when Keito Namakura turned quickly atop the box and struck one just inside the near post. The draw lasted seven minutes, when Crysencio Summerville made a quick cut in off the right wing to ripped a curling strike off his left foot inside the left post.
Trailing, Japan opened up and began building into the finishing third, finding the match equalizer in the 89th minute off a header by Daichi Kamada. The Netherlands had one good opportunity in stoppage time, but both teams eventually appeared to settle for the draw as the added six minutes came to a close.
My take: What a contest. The perfect match for people without a rooting interest to discover that soccer is far from boring. Something of a moral victory for Japan, who should take some momentum from twice overcoming deficits to earn a point in Group F, which also includes Sweden and Tunisia.
THE ASYLUM
Netherlands, Japan thrill
In what was easily the best match of the World Cup to date, Netherlands and Japan played to a 2-2 draw, with both sides exhibiting quality on both ends and all four goals quality strikes and headers.
Japan played a 3-4-3 and was content to defend and counter in the first half. While the defense was strong and there were a few opportunities on the counter, they relied on some quality saves from keeper Zion Suzuki.
The sides went to half in a draw, but things opened up quickly in the second half. Virgil Van Dijk opened the scoring on a strong header across goal in the 51st minute, but Japan equalized when Keito Namakura turned quickly atop the box and struck one just inside the near post. The draw lasted seven minutes, when Crysencio Summerville made a quick cut in off the right wing to ripped a curling strike off his left foot inside the left post.
Trailing, Japan opened up and began building into the finishing third, finding the match equalizer in the 89th minute off a header by Daichi Kamada. The Netherlands had one good opportunity in stoppage time, but both teams eventually appeared to settle for the draw as the added six minutes came to a close.
My take: What a contest. The perfect match for people without a rooting interest to discover that soccer is far from boring. Something of a moral victory for Japan, who should take some momentum from twice overcoming deficits to earn a point in Group F, which also includes Sweden and Tunisia.
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