Media: Oranje's chances dwindling after Japan draw, Sweden's 5-1 win over Tunisia

Where national coach Ronald Koeman could live with Oranje’s 2-2 draw against Japan in its first World Cup match, the media was less charitable. They see the Dutch national team’s chances for winning the Cup dwindling, especially with Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia in the same group. Both Dutch and international media were very critical of Koeman’s substitutions in the match.

With a 2-1 lead, Koeman substituted Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, and Tijjani Reijnders for Memphis Depay, Teun Koopmeiners, and Quinten Timber in the second half. Shortly afterward, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch also had to make way for defender Nathan Aké. After that, the Netherlands lost the initiative, and Japan struck in the 88th minute with an equalizer

The Netherlands dominated in the first half, but “stopped playing football” and “retreated into their shell” after Koeman’s substitution in the second half, Het Laatste Nieuws said. The substitutions “turned out dramatically,” said the Volkskrant. AD: “Koeman substituted himself out of the game.”

“Due to Koeman’s many substitutions, a desperately fighting Netherlands was forced to retreat,” the Spanish newspaper Marca wrote. “The Japanese goal was the result of a team that failed at crucial moments. Perhaps their inability to win a World Cup is not just a matter of bad luck.”

The British tabloid Daily Mail, the French L’Equipe, and the English BBC also criticized Koeman’s substitutions and wondered about Oranje’s chances.

On top of the draw, Oranje’s next opponent, Sweden, took a comfortable points lead in group F with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey. Sweden leads the group with 3 points, followed by Japan (1), the Netherlands (1), and Tunisia. Oranje plays Sweden at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Despite the criticism, coach Koeman stands by his substitutions in the closing stages of the first match. “I certainly don’t regret it,” he told ANP in the press room at Dallas Stadium. “I made the substitutions precisely because I saw we were struggling,” Koeman said. “I think you rate Japan lower than I do. We’ll see who is right after the World Cup.”

“In the Netherlands, there is sometimes the idea that we need to have the ball and then outplay everyone. This wasn’t the best game we were capable of playing. But I did think it was a top match. We can build on this. If we want to progress further in the tournament, more is needed. But a draw against Japan is not a bad result. I am satisfied with my team.”