Ronald Koeman would have been well aware of Japan’s defensive solidity before their meeting in Dallas.Employing a 3-4-3 formation with wing-backs dropping deep out of possession, Japan’s record read 30 goals scored and three conceded across 10 games in the decisive third round of Asian qualification.With five players keeping their defensive shape in the back line, the Netherlands’ task was to go around the stubborn block by working the ball into wide areas. The issue was that the Dutch were a little too slow in calculating the exact formula to punish their opponents.Much of the Netherlands’ attack was channelled down the left third of the pitch in the first half, with the ball circulated to winger Cody Gakpo on the touchline. However, Japan’s shape meant they could easily shuffle across and double up on Gakpo, stifling space and forcing him to go backwards upon receiving the ball.With Koeman employing left-footed centre-back Micky van de Ven at left-back, the Netherlands lacked a natural, attack-minded player to support Gakpo when he collected possession. Van de Ven’s athleticism and speed are his greatest strengths, but there were too many occasions in the first half where the Tottenham Hotspur defender fed the ball to a marked Gakpo and did little else to stretch Japan’s shape.It took until the 27th minute for Van de Ven to run beyond the ball, exchanging a one-two with Gakpo and underlapping his team-mate to accelerate beyond Japan’s defence before putting a dangerous cross into the box.Attempting to break down Hajime Moriyasu’s side, that sequence was the blueprint the Dutch needed to repeat. Such movement was not mirrored on the Netherlands’ right, where the attack-minded Denzel Dumfries was playing a more withdrawn role.So often the most advanced player from right wing-back for Inter and his country, Dumfries was more likely to stay deeper to support the Netherlands’ build-up, operating behind West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, who looked similarly isolated in a frustrating first half.The intent looked different immediately in the second half, with off-ball runs in higher supply and Koeman’s side becoming less predictable. Minutes after the break, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch made an underlapping run beyond Summerville to burst beyond Japan’s defence and whip a ball across the face of goal — a mirror image of Van de Ven’s positive contribution in the first half.Supporting movement helped the Netherlands score their second goal — as Summerville received the ball, Dumfries’ muscle memory kicked in. His overlapping run was enough to make Japan defender Keito Nakamura take an extra yard further across, allowing Summerville to come inside and finish superbly with his left foot.For a nation synonymous with ‘total football’ and progressive passing play, Koeman’s side were not above going ‘safety first’ on Sunday.Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen went long with 47 per cent of his passes, often finding Gakpo on the left to maximise his height advantage. Gakpo’s aerial ability allowed the Dutch to pick up on second balls and maintain territorial dominance.Frenkie de Jong’s defensive role caught the eye, too. The 29-year-old Barcelona star frequently dropped deeper into the back line and formed a back five when the Netherlands were out of possession, plugging gaps to allow the centre-backs to shuffle across to defend wide areas or have a free run when defending aerial balls into the box.Koeman switched to a back five late in the second half when his side were 2-1 up, bringing on defender Nathan Ake for midfielder Gravenberch in the final 10 minutes. It was a decision that did not pay off after his side conceded from a set play in the closing stages.It was the first time that the Netherlands took the lead twice in a World Cup match and failed to win the game.A draw against Japan should not be met with too much criticism, but Koeman’s side took too long to work out the best way to unlock their opposition’s defence.Sweden are next up in matchday two. Graham Potter’s side thumped Tunisia 5-1, putting them in the driving seat at the top of Group F. More Dutch points dropped on Saturday would put extra pressure on the Netherlands’ final game with Tunisia next week.Qualification into the knockout stage should still be a formality, but they need to be quicker at solving the tactical questions posed to them.Jun 15, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms