Emergency meeting of Japanese players: "Determined to definitely win" → Dramatic draw, "Night in Dallas"

*This content was translated by AI.

"We have become determined to definitely win."

Reports emerged that before the match, Japanese national team players held an emergency meeting to solidify their resolve, following a draw against the powerhouse Netherlands.

Japanese media Sports Hochi reported on the 15th (Korean time) that "with the team's captain Wataru Endo (33) forced to leave due to injury, a major setback, the new captain Ko Itakura (29) proposed a team meeting. Veterans and rookies gathered for the 'Night in Dallas' to exchange opinions."

The media stated, "Itakura recalled that 'given all that happened, the members present here and now have become determined to unite as one and definitely win,' and added that 'despite unprecedented setbacks, they gathered their wavering hearts into one and ultimately secured valuable points.'"

Ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands (8th) in the first match of Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North, Central America and Caribbean, held at the stadium in Dallas, USA, on this day, earning one point.

Japan conceded the opening goal to Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) in the 6th minute of the second half but equalized in the 12th minute with an equalizing goal from Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims). Later, Japan conceded again to Christensen Summer (West Ham United) in the 19th minute of the second half, but a stroke of luck occurred in the 44th minute of the second half during a corner kick situation, when a header by Goki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen) deflected off the head of Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), resulting in a dramatic equalizing goal and securing a draw.

Sports Hochi evaluated that "in the past seven World Cups, every time the Japanese national team earned points in their opening match (3 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses), they advanced to the tournament without exception, so this draw can be seen as a pleasant start."

According to the media, manager Hajime Moriyasu (58) said after the match, "It is regrettable that we did not win, but the players did not give up even after allowing the lead twice, and the team fought together as one until the end," praising the players' fighting spirit. Daichi Kamada (30), who scored the equalizing goal, showed confidence, stating, "Even when trailing in the score, we did not become impatient, and we believed that if it were us, we could create an opportunity at any time."

Japan, belonging to Group F, known as the "Group of Death" in this tournament, will play the remaining group stage matches against Tunisia on the 21st and Sweden on the 26th.

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*This content was translated by AI.