Not disappointing the 55,000-strong hometown fans, Japan came out running and gunning in its first match of the World Cup against Belgium, ending with a well deserved 2:2 draw. The Group H match featured the energetic play of a Japanese team against the patience and clever passing of the Belgians.

Belgium got the first goal of the match in a highlight-reel goal by Marc Wilmots in the 57th minute. After the ball was lobbed around a few times by Belgium and Japanese players, it flew into the middle of the pack inside the goal area, and Wilmots promptly did his best impression of Bruce Lee with a back-flip kick that eluded Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

Japan, however, showed remarkable poise as they came right back with the equalizer two minutes later. Forward Takayuki Suzuki showed great hustle when he flagged down a long kick from the back, beating his Belgian defender, and then basically pushing it past goalkeeper Geert De Vlieger with the toe of his shoe. This brought back the rather tame Japanese fans from the dead, and coach Philippe Troussier running on to the field.

Japan then took the lead in the 67th minute of the game on a goal by Junichi Inamoto, who was dangerous throughout the match. Inamoto was sprung loose on a nice lead pass and promptly fired the ball into the left corner of the goal.

The see-saw battle continued with Belgian defender Peter Van Der Heyden lobbing a ball over Kawaguchi's outstretched arms after being sent in alone on a nice long lob from the midfield.

Both sides added a few more good scoring chances, but none that came to any fruition. Japan next takes on Russia, while Belgium faces Tunisia.

(Glen Choi, glen@chosun.com )