Japan's head coach opened by thanking supporters who filled the Dallas stadium and those who watched the 5am kick-off back home in Japan. He acknowledged Netherlands' overall quality but praised his side's resilience in equalising twice after going behind on both occasions.

A single point is far from satisfying, he stressed, and the team is targeting three points in each of their remaining two group games. Defensively, Japan aimed to press higher but the Dutch build-up quality — from goalkeeper through to forwards — naturally forced them into a deeper block for much of the match.

The introduction of more attacking players around the 75th minute raised the team's intensity and contributed directly to Japan's second equaliser. On Kubo's substitution, the coach said no medical report had yet been received, though he noted the player walked off the pitch unaided and expressed hope he would be available going forward.

Japan's rise, he argued, stems from the development of the J-League, improved youth coaching standards, and more than 100 Japanese players now competing at European clubs and sharpening themselves against world-class opposition daily.