Holland, Koeman disappointed after 2-2 match against Japan: "We are disappointed but we have to accept the result"
The Netherlands were held in their first game at the 2026 World Cup after Japan drew 2-2, prompting Coach Koeman to vent his frustration but also acknowledge the quality of the opposition.
The Netherlands' campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 got off to a bitter start after they were held by Japan in a thrilling match that ended 2-2. The Oranje took the lead twice but Japan successfully tied it, causing mixed emotions for players and coaches after the game.
Ronald Koeman, head coach of the Netherlands and former manager of Barcelona, admitted that he was very disappointed with the way the match went. "It was annoying. We went ahead twice and still tied. It hurts, but we have to accept the result," said Koeman after the match.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://tmw-storage.tcccdn.com/storage/tuttomercatoweb.com/img_notizie/thumb3/2b/2b1d9e6c34a3ffa5fb31373ca8e784c4-66607-oooz0000.jpeg" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Koeman also spoke of the quality of the Japanese squad and their ability to recover in crucial moments. "Japan is a very good team. They are capable of winning big matches. For me, I also feel that they are afraid when we are the opponent. But we cannot control everything that happens in the match," he added.
Koeman explained that the win would have been important for the Netherlands' confidence but he also stressed the importance of having balance as they approach the rest of the tournament. "I would have liked us to start with a win, but somehow we also scored against a difficult opponent," insisted Koeman.
The Netherlands will next face Sweden in the group stage—a crucial stage to determine the direction of their World Cup 2026 campaign.
