You could sense the moment was coming. Japan had fought back once and been pegged back again, but there was something in the way they kept pressing, kept running, kept believing. Then, with one minute left, Daichi Kamada flung himself at the ball from a corner and guided it into the net — and AT&T Stadium in Dallas went absolutely berserk.
How It Happened
Netherlands had looked the better team for most of this Group F opener at AT&T Stadium, Dallas. Virgil van Dijk headed them in front with a trademark centre-back goal on 51 minutes, nodding home from a right-wing cross supplied by Ryan Gravenberch. Japan levelled through Keito Nakamura — a low drive that appeared to deflect off the defender — before the moment that silenced the Dutch support.
Crysencio Summerville, one of the most exciting young players in Europe last season, thought he had won it for the Netherlands on 64 minutes with a stunning solo effort. But Summerville's night of highs and lows was to continue: Japan's Koki Ogawa rose for a corner on 89 minutes, the ball glanced off Kamada, and Holland's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was beaten before he even moved.
Japan Justified Their Dark Horse Status
This result was not a fluke. Japan have been building toward this tournament with genuine intent, and their ability to compete physically and mentally with the best European nations — proven again at Qatar 2022 — was on full display here. To come back twice against a Dutch side that possessed genuine Champions League quality shows a mental strength that should frighten every team in Group F.
Kamada, 29, has been one of Crystal Palace's most creative players over the last two seasons. He brought every bit of that intelligence to the national team stage. His run to the near post, the way he attacked the delivery, the sheer determination behind that header — it was exactly the kind of moment that wins a player a nation's heart.
Netherlands Left to Rue Missed Chances
For Louis van Gaal's successor, this is a deeply frustrating result. The Dutch created the clearer chances, dominated large stretches of the game, and had a goal that looked like it would seal victory. But football does not reward possession. It rewards goals, and Japan scored when it counted most.
Group F is now wide open. Sweden lead with three points after beating Tunisia 5-1. Netherlands and Japan share one point each. The pressure is on the Dutch to deliver when they face their next opponents — and Japan know that one more result like this could see them reach the knockout rounds.
Key Stats
- Goals: Van Dijk (51'), Nakamura (57'), Summerville (64'), Kamada (89')
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
- Group: F — Sweden lead (3pts), Japan & Netherlands (1pt each)
0 Comments