Fingers pointed as Albion stars suffer late World Cup disappointment in draw

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Albion’s Dutch stars suffered disappointment on their World Cup debut.

And there was criticism for Bart Verbruggen as he conceded a late leveller.

Holland led Japan twice but were pegged back for a 2-2 draw.

Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke both played the full 90 minutes.

Van Hecke was widely praised for a potentially goal-saving challenge in the first half.

But he was out of luck on the first Japan goal when a shot by Keito Nakamura flicked off him and beat Verbruggen low to his right.

There was also a deflection on Japan’s second goal, as Koki Ogawa’s 88th-minute header took a touch off Daichi Kamada.

Verbruggen had to react quickly and got decent contact on the ball but could only help it into the top corner.

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ITV co-commentator Ally McCoist said: “I think the goalkeeper has to be saving that - deflection or not.”

Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville scored for Holland, whose boss Ronald Koeman said the result was "a slight disappointment" but added: "I can live with that. It was a top match from both sides."

Koeman was critical of the Dutch defending on the first Japan goal, believing they did not give Verbruggen enough protection.

He said: "We have three or four people standing around the ball. Then you have to block the ball and be aggressive because, if the ball goes through your legs, the goalkeeper has no chance."

Mats Wieffer was an unused substitute and, earlier, Pascal Gross had the same role for Germany as they beat Curacao 7-1.

Former Albion striker Deniz Undav went on as sub and scored his side’s sixth goal.