The Netherlands’ 2026 FIFA World Cup have started with a painful, frustrated, 2-2 draw against Japan at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Netherlands saw most of the ball but they did not pose real threat for most of the match. Ultimately, Japan managed to secure a point courtesy of a 88th minute header by Daichi Kamada, and it was well and truly deserved.
The tactics, possession without the threat
The main feature of the Netherlands performance was the sheer amount of barren possession. The Dutch held near 60% of possession but most of this was painfully slow and they just passed it back and forth around the Japanese defence in a large U shape, never penetrating the lines and finding the front.
The opposite applied for Japan. They executed the game plan of keeping things very disciplined, sitting back deep and letting the Dutch pass themselves into a false sense of security, and whenever they won the ball back they were massively superior in transition.
Japan reacted very quickly when the Netherlands went ahead twice, through Virgil van Dijk in the 51st minute and Crysencio Summerville in the 64th minute. Both were followed up by Japan equalising through Keito Nakamura and then Kamada at the 88th minute. They had the most energy and had the more dangerous attacks on the penalty area.
Frenkie de Jong was a victim of a very static formation
Frenkie de Jong is one of the best in his position. However in the game against Japan, he barely had a chance to get any touches in the attacking half and therefore was unable to contribute in an attacking sense.
The pressing from Japan was so suffocating that the central channels were always closed and the midfield duo spent most of their time passing the ball between themselves or to the center backs as a result. With no direct running by the forwards, the Barcelona midfielder was never able to play those quick, sharp pass that opens up the defence, and it was another tough performance for Koeman’s rigid Dutch side.
What comes next for Netherlands
The Netherlands need to wake up. Japan was the much smarter and more dangerous side at the Stadium in Dallas. They got their deserved 2-2 draw. Koeman needs to get pace and urgency back into the Dutch system before their next game with Sweden, or the Netherlands could be in for a very early exit.
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