FOOTBALL – Germany began their World Cup campaign with a thumping 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao yesterday in a match where history was made on several fronts and the one-sided result could not overshadow the occasion for the island nation.
Early this morning, a resilient Japan came back twice from behind to hold the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in a second-half Group F thriller in Texas.
After a first half frustrated by Japan’s compact defending, the Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Ryan Gravenberch whipped in a fine cross for captain Virgil van Dijk to head into the far corner.
Japan fought back and levelled six minutes later when Keito Nakamura converted his fierce low shot from outside the area, only for the Netherlands to go ahead again in the 64th minute when Crysencio Summerville’s brilliant strike went in off the far post.
But Japan battled back and found the equaliser two minutes from time when substitute Koki Ogawa’s superb header from a corner went in off Daichi Kamada.
The Netherlands next face Sweden in Houston and Japan will meet Tunisia in Monterrey, both on June 20.
Germany’s Felix Nmecha scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far after six minutes and Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz (two), Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also netted in an easy outing for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
But the biggest cheer from the 68,021 crowd came for Livano Comenencia’s 21st-minute equaliser for Curacao to score their first goal at a World Cup as they became the smallest nation by population size and area to play at the global finals.
Curacao’s sizeable support enjoyed their historic day out under Dick Advocaat, who became the oldest coach in World Cup history at the age of 78, and cheered to the end on an occasion perhaps most believed would never come.
“We expected to do more against Germany, but they were too strong,” Advocaat said.
“We conceded three easy goals and 4-1 would have been a better score. Despite this 7-1 outcome, the joy of the fans is fantastic. This is not a disgrace, we can still be proud. We still have two games to go and those could end differently. The players will not be downcast, it was still great to play in this game.”
Recalled goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is now also the oldest player to feature for Germany at a major tournament aged 40, beating the previous record holder Lothar Matthaeus.
&uuid=(email))