'Zero effective shots' Japan ends first half scoreless against Netherlands... Goalkeeper makes 'super save'

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese national football team, which started the first match of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean Cup, finished the first half scoreless against the Netherlands.

Japan, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, is preparing for the second half tied 0-0 against the Netherlands in the Group F first-round match of the tournament, which kicked off at 5 a.m. (Korean time) on the 15th at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, United States. As of June, the FIFA ranking is 18th for Japan and 8th for the Netherlands.

Japan played the entire first half focusing on stability, managing only three shots. Even those came mostly after the 43rd minute of the first half, with just one shot before that. Japan recorded zero effective shots in the first half. Conversely, the Netherlands also sought to exploit Japan's gaps by maintaining high ball possession, but goalkeeper Zayon Suzuki (Parma) held firm, keeping the Japanese goal from opening and swallowing his disappointment.

The Netherlands seized a chance to score first just three minutes into the first half. Donnel Malen (AS Roma) received a pass with his back to a defender inside the penalty box and connected with a direct right-footed shot. However, it was blocked by a save from goalkeeper Suzuki.

Japan also launched a counterattack, focusing on exploiting gaps in the Netherlands' defense centered around Keito Nakamura (Reims) positioned on the left flank. However, a cutback from the left flank in the 14th minute of the first half failed to result in a shot, leaving them with disappointment.

The match then unfolded with the Netherlands dominating while Japan countered with counterattacks. However, both teams prioritized stability, making it difficult for shots to emerge. In the 28th minute of the first half, Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich) took a long-range shot, which was Japan's first shot of the day and the second shot overall by both teams.

Afterward, the Netherlands began to shake Japan's defense bit by bit. In a corner kick situation in the 34th minute of the first half, Malen's header at the goal appeared, but this time, goalkeeper Zayon Suzuki made another save. Two minutes later, a shot from Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) in a free-kick situation missed the goal frame, leaving them with disappointment.

Japan only began to create chances toward the end of the first half. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Keito Nakamura's right-footed shot from a right-flank cross went wide of the goal. Two minutes later, Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), receiving a backward pass, had his shot hit the side netting. Ultimately, the first half ended 0-0 for both teams.

Ball possession in the first half was 59% for the Netherlands, 33% for Japan, and 8% was contested. The shot count was five for the Netherlands and three for Japan, with effective shots at three for the Netherlands and zero for Japan.

On this day, Japan deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation with Ayase Ueda leading the line, followed by Daizen Maeda (Celtic FC) and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) in the second line. Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) and Kai Shino (Mainz) coordinated in midfield, while Nakamura and Ritsu Doan (Frankfurt) stood on the left and right flanks. Hiroki Ito, Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), and goalkeeper Suzuki each guarded their respective positions.

The Netherlands countered with a 4-3-3 formation featuring Malen, Gakpo, and Christian Sambi Lokonga (West Ham United) up front. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), and Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City) formed the midfield. The defensive line consisted of Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Yannick van Haasteren (Brighton & Hove Albion), and Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan). Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) guarded the goal.

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*This content was translated by AI.