Reijnders and Ake’s Holland held by Japan | OneFootball

A late equaliser meant Tijjani Reijnders and Nathan Ake’s Netherlands were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan in their World Cup Group F opener.

Reijnders started for the Dutch in Dallas before coming off in the 70th minute, while Ake was introduced as a late substitute.

The Dutch twice took the lead in a hotly anticipated tie, with Virgil Van Dijk’s header early in the second half opening the scoring after Reijnders’ initial free-kick had been cleared.

Donyell Malen had also gone close for the Netherlands early in the tie, but Japan had threatened in a relatively uneventful first 45 when Keito Nakamura had fired wide on the stoke of half-time.

And the wing back wouldn’t need a second invitation to pull his nation level before the hour mark, picking up play from a left-wing cutback, and finding the net through a crowd of bodies via a slight deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke.

The Dutch regained their lead soon after though, with West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville drifting inside from the right flank and curling an unstoppable effort in off the far post.

With stoppage time approaching, it looked like the Netherlands had done enough for the victory, but the Japanese levelled again in the 89th minute when Koki Ogawa’s header from a corner hit Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada en route to the net.

Reijnders, Ake and co. will face Group F leaders Sweden – who beat Tunisia 5-1 - in their second encounter on Saturday 20 June, with kick-off in Houston set for 18:00 (UK).