World Cup: Dōan captains Japan in dramatic draw with Netherlands
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Ritsu Dōan captained Japan in their opening World Cup game against the Netherlands. In addition to Eintracht Frankfurt’s winger, FC Bayern’s defender Hiroki Itō and Mainz’s Kaishū Sano started for Samurai Blue. Werder Bremen’s Yukinari Sugawara came on in place of Dōan twenty minutes from time.
Including his early save to deny ex-Borussia Dortmund attacker Donyell Malen, Japan’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki had a solid first-half in his home country. The game came into life with three goals inside the first twenty minutes of the second-half.
A Liverpool linkup opened the floodgates when Virgil van Dijk headed home from a precise cross by former Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. Japan responded five minutes later with a measured finish from Keito Nakamura.
Gravenberch was also involved when the Netherlands retook the lead as he registered his second assist of the game. However, this time around, it was mostly about Crysencio Summerville’s individual quality as West Ham's winger curled home for his first international goal with a finish resembling a certain Arjen Robben.
Compared to the quiet first-half, both teams have stepped up after the restart with multiple chances at either end. There was also a late twist to the game as Japan earned a point with a goal in the 88th minute.
Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada, who has added Conference League success to his Europa League triumph with Frankfurt, had the last touch in their scrappy equalizer. After their famous wins over former champions Germany and Spain four years ago, Japan started their 2026 campaign with yet another impressive result.
Both teams reached the knockout stages in the 2022 World Cup staged in Qatar. Sweden and Tunisia will lock horns in a few hours in the other game from Group F.
