Koeman: Netherlands Played at 'Minimal Standard' in 2-2 Draw with Japan

Koeman defends subs after Netherlands blow lead vs Japan

Koeman has no regrets over triple sub vs Japan despite the 2-2 result. The Dutch coach said his side played at a “minimal standard” ahead of their next Group F game vs Sweden.

Koeman no regrets as Dutch concede late to Japan in World Cup opener...

Ronald Koeman stood by his substitutions after the Netherlands let a win slip in their World Cup opener. Japan grabbed a late equalizer to force a 2-2 draw Sunday.

Captain Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville both scored to put the Dutch ahead, either side of Keito Nakamura’s goal. But a deflected Daichi Kamada strike in the 88th minute made it 2-2.

“There was also a problem with pressure on the flanks. So if you look at ⁠the game, both goals, well, we didn't defend well,” he told reporters.

“Football is a funny game because, after Japan scored the second goal, they started defending as well. “So we could have scored a third ‌goal. So I don't regret my choices.”

Koeman had said Memphis Depay was fit to start just a day earlier after his recent thigh issue. Instead, the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer came off the bench in the second half for Donyell Malen. Depay picked up a yellow for a heavy tackle and didn’t change the game.

Quarter-finalists at Qatar 2022, the Dutch now get almost a week off before their next Group F game. They face Sweden in Houston.

Koeman called the performance against Japan a “minimal standard.” He also hit back at the media, saying they underrated the Asian side.

“Of course we can perform better and we need to grow during the tournament,” he said.

“This definitely was not our best performance. “Of course, we would ⁠have preferred to win ⁠the first game. We ‌expected to.”