Koeman Defends Netherlands Tactics After Japan Snatch World Cup Draw

15 Jun 2026

Ronald Koeman defended his game management after the Netherlands were held 2-2 by Japan in their World Cup opener. The Dutch twice led through Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville, but Keito Nakamura and a late deflected Daichi Kamada strike earned Japan a point. Koeman said the result came down to poor defending rather than cautious substitutions and insisted his side must improve before facing Sweden.