Tenacious Japan rescue late draw against the Netherlands as Texas showdown lives up to the hype

The Daruma doll is a traditional Japanese talisman of good luck and perseverance, modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Known for its weighted, rounded base, it always rights itself when you try to tip it over.

It's precisely this resilient nature that embodies the Japanese proverb nanakorobi yaoki — "fall down seven times, get up eight." Because true success isn't about racking up wins and steering clear of failure: it's about dusting yourself off and getting back onto your feet.

In that sense, the Japan national team that took the field on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, TX wasn't so much a group of players, but a group of Daruma dolls. No matter how many times you tried to knock them down, they managed to bounce back and stand upright, ready for whatever challenge came next.

Japan and the Netherlands served up a belter in Texas

The lead-up to the 2026 World Cup brought stormy weather to Japan, with star attackers Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma missing out on the tournament due to physical problems. And to add insult to injury, Japan captain Wataru Endo withdrew with a foot problem and announced his international retirement.

Still, all signs pointed to this one being a tantalising encounter between the Netherlands (#8 in the FIFA rankings) and Japan (#18). It did not disappoint, producing arguably the most exciting match of the World Cup thus far and keeping every single one of the 69,285 spectators on the edge of their seats.

Donyell Malen produced the first sign of danger, holding up the ball before deftly turning and stinging Zion Suzuki's palms with a powerful shot. The Oranje continued to push for the opening goal, with Suzuki keeping out a point-blank header from Jan Paul van Hecke.

After a cagey first half, the game started to open up as Ryan Gravenberch delivered a teasing cross to Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk, who headed home. Japan responded instantaneously, with Keito Nakamura taking aim on his weaker right foot and firing a shot which squeezed past Bart Verbruggen at his near post.

Gravenberch would add to his assist tally shortly after, dishing it off to Crysencio Summerville at the top-right corner of the box. The West Ham winger executed his shot to perfection, cutting onto his left before launching a firecracker into the bottom left corner.

It seemed that Japan's race was run, especially with creative talisman Takefusa Kubo making way in the 75th minute after picking up a knock. The Dutch almost doubled their lead, with Cody Gakpo firing a low, driven shot to the near post and forcing a sturdy save from Suzuki.

But just like the Daruma doll, Japan continued to rise again, with their inverted wingers and buccaneering wingbacks causing plenty of issues for the Oranje. This was exacerbated by Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, who made the mistake of shutting up shop with overly defensive changes like Teun Koopmeiners for Summerville and Nathan Aké for Gravenberch.

If Japan were the inferior side on paper, they certainly didn't play like it. And in the 89th minute, their persistence finally paid off as substitute Koki Ogawa served up a corner kick for Daichi Kamada to head home, securing a well-deserved point for the Samurai Blue.

"[Japan] managed to be tenacious and at the same ​time be ⁠patient and keep calm and find and seize the opportunities," stated Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu after the match. "I'm very proud that they could keep their own pace, but we were aiming to get three points, not one point. ⁠So in ​that sense, of course it was a ​little bit disappointing."

Japan will be looking to pick up their first victory of the tournament against Tunisia in Monterey, Mexico, before returning to Arlington to face Sweden. As for the Netherlands, they'll be seeking to knock Group F leaders Sweden off their pedestal in Houston before meeting Tunisia in Kansas City.