The timing of the breaks appeared to frustrate a Netherlands side that struggled to maintain momentum. After a cagey first half, Van Dijk opened the scoring for the Dutch, with Crysencio Summerville also finding the net.
However, the Oranje were twice pegged back by a resilient Japan side that thrived on the disjointed nature of the contest.
Goals from Keito Nakamura and a late Daichi Kamada strike ensured the points were shared in Group F. While Van Dijk was a standout performer individually, his frustrations boiled over regarding the “one-size-fits-all” approach to player welfare that FIFA has adopted for this tournament, which some critics argue has turned the game into four separate quarters.
