JAPAN LEFT FRUSTRATED DESPITE A LATE COMEBACK AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised his side’s resilience after a 2-2 draw with the
Netherlands in Texas on Sunday, but admitted they fell short of their target.

“The Netherlands were very strong, we were trailing behind, a very difficult
opponent,” Moriyasu said. “The players were united as one, tenacious, they fought to
the end and did not cease to persevere.”

Japan came from behind twice, with Keito Nakamura and substitute Koki Ogawa
cancelling out goals from Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville, but Moriyasu
said the result still felt incomplete.

“Of course, we’re not completely satisfied with just the one point for the draw,” he
said. “We were aiming to get three points, not one point. So in that point of view, it
was a little bit disappointing.”

Van Dijk had given the Dutch the lead after the break before Japan responded, only
for the Netherlands to strike again in an end-to-end second half before Ogawa’s late
equaliser secured a point.

Moriyasu added that belief never left his team even when trailing. “They managed to
be tenacious and at the same time be patient, keep calm and find and seize the
opportunities. So I’m very proud they could keep their own pace.”

Both sides now sit in a tight Group F race, with Japan set to face Tunisia next in
Monterrey on June 20.