Japan scored a late equalizer to salvage a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their group opener at the men’s soccer World Cup. Japan was put under constant pressure from the outset, with Donyell Malen threatening to score. But goalkeeper Suzuki Zion made a brilliant save, and the first half ended in the goalless draw. In the 51st minute, Japan fell behind after the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk scored on a header. But six minutes later, Nakamura Keito tied the game with a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area. Japan then allowed the Netherlands to take the lead again in the 64th minute, when forward Crysencio Summerville netted a goal with a close-range shot. But Japan equalized in the 89th minute. A corner kick was met by substitute Ogawa Koki’s header, which deflected in off Kamada Daichi to earn a 2-2 draw.
US President Donald Trump has said the US reached an agreement with Iran and that the Strait of Hormuz will open. Trump made the announcement in a social media post on Sunday. He wrote, “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.” Trump also said: ” I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” Iran’s deputy foreign minister said the text of the memorandum of understanding has been finalized and will be signed in Switzerland on Friday.
Keio University Professor Tanaka Koichiro, an expert on Iran and the surrounding region, spoke with NHK World on what may lie ahead. Tanaka says, “I’m a bit surprised because I thought that the two parties were still far away from reaching a deal, despite the news that had been telling so. And so far, with President Trump constantly saying that the deal is close, it always turned out to be that it was a false alarm.” In addition, Tanaka says, “I believe if both parties would act in good faith, we will be seeing a reopening of the normalization of the traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. But I’m still dubious about how it’s going to proceed, because sometimes the Americans have been saying that there are mines that have been laid in the Strait of Hormuz by the Iranians, whereas I’m not certain that that is the case.”