Van Dijk scores and Gravenberch assists in Netherlands draw with Japan
- Chris Stuart
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Virgil van Dijk scored and Ryan Gravenberch supplied two assists as the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in their World Cup opener.
Liverpool and Dutch captain Van Dijk broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half of the Group F encounter in Dallas on Sunday.
He did so by meeting a Gravenberch cross from the right with a precise header back across the goal that arced into the opposition net off the post.
Keito Nakamura equalised for Japan soon after, but Gravenberch then bagged a second assist with a set-up for Crysencio Summerville’s low curler to make it 2-1.
Victory was denied the Netherlands – for whom Reds forward Cody Gakpo also started – when Japan levelled again two minutes from the end via Daichi Kamada.
Their next outing at the World Cup comes on Saturday (June 20) as they face Sweden in Houston.
