World Cup: Roy Keane explains why Netherlands pose threat despite opening draw against Japan
By Luke Oluoch, June 15, 2026Manchester United legend Roy Keane has backed the Netherlands to pose a major threat in the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup, despite the Dutch being frustrated in a dramatic 2-2 draw by a resilient Japan on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Ons Oranje enter the tournament highly tipped to advance from Group F and are widely regarded as dark horses for the overall title. Following their opening match, Keane believes that tag is completely justified.
Goals from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in the 50th minute and winger Crysencio Summerville twice gave Ronald Koeman’s side the advantage, but they were pegged back each time by instant responses from the brilliant Samurai Blue, including a swift equaliser from Keito Nakamura.
Daft goal
“I was more impressed with the Dutch tonight,” Keane stated on punditry duty with ITV. “Yes, they gave a couple of daft goals away, and there were set pieces at the end. In the bigger picture, the Dutch looked decent, but you cannot take anything away from Japan.”
Keane reserved plenty of praise for the Asian giants, lauding their tactical discipline and fighting spirit to secure a hard-earned point.
“I give them credit for hanging in there. They will both take the draw and move on. But the Dutch were in control, and I still think they will be more of a threat in the latter stages [of the tournament] than Japan,” he explained.
Japan’s impressive run
The result extended Japan’s incredible run of form, pushing their current unbeaten streak to eight matches (six wins, two draws). More impressively, the Samurai Blue have now gone nine consecutive matches unbeaten against European opposition in regulation time, a historic streak stretching back to 2018, and that encompasses high-profile scalps over England, Croatia, and Germany.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands preserved its own remarkable legacy on the world stage.
The draw means the Dutch are now unbeaten in their last 17 FIFA World Cup group-stage matches, recording 12 wins and 5 draws, the longest active group-stage unbeaten streak of any nation in modern football history.
The draw leaves them second in the group after Sweden romped past Tunisia 5-1 in the other group tie to storm the group lead after the first round of games.
Yasin Ayari was the star of the match, scoring a double with Liverpool’s Alexander Isak also claiming as many as assists en route to the huge win by Graham Potter’s side.