Koeman defends substitutions after Oranje draw 2-2 with Japan

Ronald Koeman said was satisfied with Oranje’s performance in the opening World Cup match in Dallas, after his team twice surrendered a lead to draw 2-2 with Japan.

NEC Nijmegen’s Koki Ogawa, on as a late substitute, headed in a corner that glanced off his team-mate Daichi Kamada past Bart Verbruggen to earn the Japanese a point from a match that the Dutch dominated for the first hour.

Koeman drew criticism from the Dutch mediia for his substitutions, taking off goalscorer Crysencio Summerville and Cody Gakpo and bringing on Teun Koopmeiners as an extra midfielder and the half-fit Memphis Depay.

The coach said: “I made the changes because we I saw we were under pressure,” referring to the Japanese wing-backs pushing forward to join the attacks.

“People sometimes have the idea in the Netherlands that we should have the ball and play everyone off the pitch. This wasn’t the best game we can play, but I thought it was a top-level game. We can go further like this.”

Oranje took the lead in the second half when Virgil van Dijk planted a header past Zion Suzuki after Ryan Gravenberch had whipped the ball back into the box from a defended corner.

Japanese late rally

Keito Nakamura equalised when his shot from the edge of the penalty box took a touch off Micky van de Ven on its way past Verbruggen, but the Dutch went back in front when Crysensio Summerville ran on to a through ball by Gravenberch and curled a diagonal shot into the corner.

Koeman withdrew Gravenberch shortly after the second water break, bringing on Nathan Aké to shore up the defence.

Oranje enjoyed 70% possession in the first hour of the game, but after Summerville’s goal the polarities were reversed as the Dutch were stretched by the mobile Japanese forward line.

Koeman said both goals were avoidable, with the first equaliser finding its way through a crowd of players in the penalty area after Nakamura was given space to pull back and shoot from just outside the area.

“Be more aggressive”

“We had four players around the ball, but when the ball is in the penalty area or around it you need to block it and be aggressive,” he told NOS. “If the ball goes through your legs the keeper has no chance.

“We need to do more if we want to go further in this tournament, but a draw against Japan is not a bad result. I’m satisfied with my team, but it’s a shame that we twice gave away an advantage.”

The Dutch now travel to Houston to play Sweden, who swept aside Tunisia 5-1 in their opening match, at 7pm on Saturday.