Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman defends tactics after frustration against Japan at World Cup

SANTA CLARA – Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman defended his tactics and substitutions, after Dutch hopes of victory in their World Cup opener were foiled by a late Japan goal in the 2-2 draw on June 14.

Two well-taken goals by captain Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville either side of Keito Nakamura’s strike put the Netherlands in the lead twice, but an effort deflected off Daichi Kamada two minutes from time saw the spoils shared at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Six minutes after Summerville’s 64th-minute goal, Koeman took off the winger in a triple substitution and later added a third centre-back in Nathan Ake.

The more defensive set-up backfired, though, with Japan seizing the initiative and Koki Ogawa firing a header towards goal before Kamada’s equalising deflection.

But Koeman said he had no regrets about his tactics and that shoddy defending was to blame.

“There was also a problem with pressure on the flanks. So if you look at the game, both goals, well, we didn’t defend well,” the 63-year-old coach told reporters.

“Football is a funny game because, after Japan scored the second goal, they started defending as well.

“So we could have scored a third goal. So I don’t regret my choices.”

A day after declaring Memphis Depay fit to start following recovery from a thigh injury, Koeman had the Netherlands’ all-time top goalscorer come off the bench in the second half, replacing the lively Donyell Malen.

Depay earned a yellow card for a rough challenge and was unable to make a difference.

The Dutch, quarter-finalists at Qatar 2022, have nearly a week’s break before they face Sweden in their second Group F match in Houston on June 20.

Koeman said the Netherlands played at a “minimal standard” against the Japanese and accused the media of underrating their Asian opponents.

“Of course we can perform better and we need to grow during the tournament,” he said.

“This definitely was not our best performance. Of course, we would have preferred to win the first game. We expected to.”

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, meanwhile, lauded his team’s grit and determination in coming from behind twice, but said he was unhappy not to take all three points. 

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

“We were aiming to get three points, not one point. So in that point of view, of course it was a little bit disappointing.” 

The result maintained Moriyasu’s unbeaten run against European teams over 90 minutes, which has seen the Samurai Blue beat Germany, Spain and England. Only Croatia have trumped Japan, but only on penalties after their 2022 World Cup last-16 tie ended 1-1 after extra time.

Said Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Ritsu Doan: “I didn’t think this team would crumble. We gathered after conceding to talk things through, and aside from technique and tactics, we’ve become a mentally very mature team.”

Elsewhere in Group F, Sweden coach Graham Potter praised the chemistry between forwards Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres after they tore Tunisia’s defence to shreds in a 5-1 victory in their World Cup opener later on June 14.

Yasin Ayari started and finished the scoring, and substitute Mattias Svanberg also found the net, but it was Isak and Gyokeres who posed the main threat to the Tunisians throughout the match.

Both players scored a goal and created a host of other chances as the Swedes cruised to the win at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.

“Individually, of course, they are top players but I think together they can be a real threat,” Potter told a press conference. “I think they’ll get better and better the more they play, they complement each other very well.

“I’m really pleased with the players,” he added. “We know the quality of the individuals in the front positions, but they needed a team to function.”

Tunisia, who did not concede at all during their World Cup qualification campaign, found the net via Omar Rekik. REUTERS, KYODO NEWS