Dallas, June 15: Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu expressed that the 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their opening match of Group F at the FIFA World Cup 2026 has significantly boosted his team’s confidence. However, he acknowledged the disappointment of not securing a win.
Japan showcased remarkable resilience during the match. Despite trailing twice, the team managed to equalize on both occasions, earning a crucial point against a strong Netherlands side. Moriyasu noted that his players did not give up under pressure and fought until the end. He believes this performance will enhance the players’ confidence, although they are aware they had opportunities to win.
According to a report by Xinhua, Moriyasu stated, “I am not just happy with one point; I believe this point is worth much more. The players executed our game plan effectively and performed well under pressure. Coming back twice has given us a lot of confidence.”
He praised Japan’s determination against a formidable opponent. Moriyasu remarked, “The Netherlands is an extremely strong team. Our players remained united throughout the match, demonstrating great struggle and fighting spirit. While we are disappointed not to have won, this match will provide us with valuable confidence and lessons for future games.”
Moriyasu emphasized that Japan is continuously improving by learning from the world’s top teams. He noted the increasing number of Japanese players competing in major European clubs and leagues, which is helping the team strengthen at the international level. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to develop young players and coaching systems in Japan.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman expressed satisfaction with the 2-2 draw but pointed out that his team could have capitalized better on key opportunities. Koeman said, “I can accept this result. Japan also created good chances. It was a high-level contest between both teams, and both learned positive lessons from it.”
He explained that Japan’s strong defensive strategy made it challenging for his team to find space in attack. Koeman noted, “Typically, Japan applies pressure, but in this match, they defended more deeply, making it difficult to break through their defense.” After his team’s control weakened in the final stages, Koeman defended his substitutions, stating that the goal was to balance the midfield and reduce Japan’s pressure.
Koeman also criticized his team’s defensive mistakes leading to Japan’s equalizer, stating that his players failed to handle the situation correctly. He praised Japan’s quality and fighting spirit, saying, “Japan should never be underestimated. We had the lead twice and wanted to win, but Japan did not give up. They fought until the end, and they are truly a very good team.”
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