Substitute Keisuke Honda took a corner, which Yuya Osako leaped highest for and headed off the post and into the net. That left Japan to mostly play an effective keep-away game for the final 20 minutes.
Japan became the latest side to pull off an upset at the World Cup, joining Mexico, Switzerland and Iceland in earning surprising results. This scoreline was particularly unexpected in light of the fact that Japan had changed coaches shortly before the tournament, and because no Asian team had ever previously defeated a South American side in 17 World Cup meetings.
Group H, which also includes Poland and Senegal, was said to be the most evenly matched at the World Cup. But many still ranked Japan the weakest of the teams. After this win, Japan is in pole position to qualify.
Andrew Das: That’s an enormous result for Japan, and it’s really scrambles the group — and perceptions. Japan is in its sixth straight World Cup but has long been seen as a rider more than a driver. It has advanced to the round of 16 only twice — on home soil in 2002 and again in 2010 — but promptly went right out. This victory, over a good Colombia team many thought could win the group, just put Poland and Senegal on notice.
Here’s how Japan beat Colombia:
90’ + 4: Colombia Pressing
Colombia is doing everything it can to push the ball forward. A couple desperation shots make it interesting, but no real threat.
90’: Stoppage Time
Five minutes of stoppage time. Colombia throws everyone forward. But Japan clears the ball away again. Tick. tick. tick.
89’: Colombia Still Battling
A series of throw-ins leads to a series of headers from Colombia, who are absolutely frantic at this point. None of those headers leads to a shot on goal, however.
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87’: Frustration Sets In
Yellow for James Rodriguez for a challenge from behind. That’s not what Colombia wants, especially now that it looks like it will need 4 or 6 points from its last two games.
85’: Time Running Out for Colombia
Japan is killing the game off effectively. Time is Japan’s friend and Colombia’s enemy. When Colombia finally does get the ball it passes it away.
81’: Japan Keeps It
Japan regained possession and started an extended game of keepaway. Twenty passes, 30, maybe 40.
79’: Colombia Goes on the Attack
Falcao got the ball on a break, but two Japanese defenders closed him down and Japan dealt with the ensuing corner. Then James got a clear shot on goal, but it was deflected over by a diving Osako. Another corner and Colombia is pouring it on.
73: GOAL! Japan Takes the Lead
Japan was dominating and got their goal. It’s striker Yuya Osako with the header off the Honda corner. Osaka finds the inside of the post. Textbook score and Colombia finally paid for its lack of numbers. Now it will be up to James and Falcao to come up with something for Colombia.
72’: There’s Honda
Honda fired at goal almost immediately, drawing a save, although the shot would have been just wide.
69’ Kagawa Off
Japan’s penalty scorer, Kagawa is out. Keisuke Honda is in. Honda scored in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Colombia counters, bringing on Bacca for Izquierdo.
67’: Colombia Scrambles to Survive
Japan zipped the ball into and around the Colombia penalty area for an endless stretch. Nervous moments for Colombia, which hasn’t been able to clear, much less mount a scoring challenge of its own.
61’: Rodriguez Busy Right Away
James Rodriguez got right into the action, passing, dribbling and showing no obvious signs of injury.
60’: Free Kick Goes Wide
A free kick for Japan, and Yoshida jumped the highest. But he headed wide. The attack continues ...
59’: James Rodriguez Checks In
James Rodriguez! Colombia’s superstar checks in, injury and all. This could be a huge moment for Colombia, which has struggled this half.
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57’: Japan Fires Away
Inui got free on the left, and he fired a curler that drew a diving save. Colombia’s goalkeeper, David Ospina, is holding his own, but it’s all Japan right now.
54’: Japan’s Numbers Starting to Show
Another run by Japan. Osako forced a save on a close-in shot. Japan’s advantage in numbers is really telling the story.
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51’: Corner to Japan
Yoshida got it with his back to goal but was muscled off the ball. Japan the better start here.
49’: Japan Looks to Run
Japan comes out running. Nagatomo puts a good ball in the box, but it’s dealt with easily by Colombia’s defense.
46’: Second Half Begins
The second half kicks off. Halftime talking points centered on the Colombia goal. Did Falcao dive to earn the free kick (Kind of?) Did the wall make a huge mistake by jumping? (Clearly.)
Halftime: 1-1 After a Busy First Half
An eventful half ends. Colombia has the momentum, but may start to tire in the second half with 10 men. And will the Colombians bring out James Rodriguez at some point?
For a game with so much incident and so many momentum swings, the stats ended up curiously even. Possession was 52-48 in favor of Japan, shots were even at 5-5, corners were 2-1 Japan.
Andrew Das: Japan’s early lead was a surprise, since African and Asian teams have won only one game at the World Cup. That was Iran, but Japan over Colombia would be much bigger than that.
43’: Who’s the Favorite Now?
Colombia, the prematch favorite, which just used its attacking might to equalize? Or Japan with a man advantage? It’s close.
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39’: GOAL! Colombia Levels
Juan Quintero of Colombia tied it up! It was a much more dangerous free kick, just outside the box. The wall jumped, but the shot went low, slid under them, then just trickled into the corner just as Japan’s keeper fell on it.
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Andrew Das: Japan protested, but goal line technology proves its value again. Though anyone with two eyes could see that was across the line. All square.
36’: Falcao Busy
Besides working hard, Falcao is also spending a lot of time on the ground. He pirouetted in a fall to win a free kick. But the forest of Japanese defenders foil it. Update: Falcao fell down again.
33’: Falcao, Just Short
Falcao broke for goal onside and between two defenders, then leapt athletically to get a toe on a pass. But it went right to the keeper, again. Falcao is working hard and in the absence of James Rodriguez is going to be the focal point of Colombia’s comeback bid. Of course, Japan knows this and will keep him well covered.
31’: Japan Wastes a Good Chance
Osako stole the ball near the Colombian goal with an open look, but launched a ball to nowhere. Was that supposed to be a shot or a cross? Either way a possible chance wasted.
26’: Japan’s Advantage
11 may not seem like a whole lot more than 10. But at this level, the man-advantage is enormous. It will mean more space to work in, more time on the ball, more comfort in defense. Japan will enjoy this advantage.
24’: Can Columbia Press for 70 Minutes?
Colombia is pressing a deliberate Japan to try to get possession. This is going to really tire the team out over the next 70 minutes.
22’: Japan Slows Down
Japan is advancing the ball at a glacial pace. You can’t blame them. They have the lead and have superior numbers. Why push anything at this point?
18’: Cuadrado Loses One-on-One
Juan Cuadrado is a dangerous player on the wing, and he tried to show off some of that skill one-on-one against Nagatomo at the end line. But the Japanese defender is up to the challenge and dispossesses him.
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14’: Japan Threatens Again
Japan took advantage of their superior numbers and developed an opportunity against an overstretched defense. But Takashi Inui went wide.
Colombia then makes some noise on the counterattack, but it leads nowhere.
12’: Falcao Makes a Run
Colombia’s Falcao beat the defense and got to a through ball with a sliding shot. Right to Japan’s goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima though.
10’: Short-Handed Colombia in Trouble Now
Colombia must attack now and must do it with 10 men. This is a dire situation, especially with 80 minutes to go.
5’: GOAL! Japan Scores on Penalty Kick
Disaster for Colombia. Osako raced past the Colombian defense and was in alone on goal. Ospina made the save and it rebounded to Kagawa who was following the play. His shot was blocked, but Carlos Sanchez used his hand! Red card for Sanchez. The penalty is taken by Kagawa. Low and steady into the net.
Kickoff!
Japan in blue, Colombia in yellow. With James Rodriguez out, Colombia will turn to its captain, Falcao, for its goals. Falcao is 32, but playing in his first World Cup. He was injured in 2014 and Colombia missed the three Cups before that. He has 29 goals for Colombia in his career, the record.
Japan has defeated Colombia in their opening group game on Tuesday with Kagawa and Osako scoring either side of Juan Quintero’s goal. Colombia started the game on backfoot when Carlos Sanchez got sent off for a straight red for handball inside the box in just 3rd minute of the match. Colombia now play Poland and Senegal in their remaining two games and must win both to qualify for next round.
Match Highlights:
Colombia are set to start their world cup 2018 campaign with the opening game against Japan on Tuesday, 19th June 2018 at the Mordovia Arena in what should be a cracking opening of what is a very competitive Group H. Poland and Senegal are the other two teams in the group who play later in the day. This group is as open as any other in the world cup and any of the four teams are capable of qualifying from this one.
Colombia vs Japan Preview: Colombia have become a very good side under manager José Pékerman who took over back in 2012 and helped Colombia to qualify back to back world cups after they missed out on previous three. Since he took charge he helped Colombia back in the reckoning on world stage. Colombia’s potential starting lineup is made of players from the top european clubs and that is always a good sign when assessing teams in world cups.
Japan on the other hand are not the team they use to be and lack the experience at this stage. Four years ago when these two meet in Brazil, Colombia hammered Japan 4-1 thanks to outstanding performance by James Rodriguez who will be key to Colombia’s chances again.
Colombia Upcoming Match Schedule: Colombia start their World Cup campaign with the opening game against Japan, they take on Poland and Senegal in the remaining two matches in a bid to qualify for knockout stages.
Colombia vs Japan – Group G
Date: Monday, 19th June 2018 – Time: 19:00 uk time
TV Channels: BBC (UK), Fox (US)
Colombia vs Poland – Group G
Date: Sunday, 24 June 2018 – Time: 13:00 uk time
TV Channels: BBC (UK), Fox (US)
Colombia vs Senegal – Group G
Date: Thursday, 28 June 2018 – Time: 19:00 uk time
TV Channels: ITV (UK), Fox (US)
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Colombia vs Japan: Live Updates, Score and Reaction from World Cup Game
Colombia (National Football) vs Japan (National Football)
Saransk
The World Cup gets its first sight of the hugely exciting Colombia side when they face off against Japan at the Saransk Arena on Tuesday. Group H is the final pool to get underway, but it could be one worth waiting for if the likes of Juan Quintero and Radamel Falcao hit the ground running for Colombia. The South Americans made it to the quarter finals four years ago and will be looking for that at least this time around. It will be a tough task for a Japan side who will look to Shinji Kagawa for inspiration.
Group H rivals Colombia and Japan get their World Cup campaigns underway on Tuesday as they go head to head in Saransk.
Colombia will be looking to emulate and surpass their run to the quarter-finals in the 2014 World Cup, where they were the surprise package of the tournament before exiting at the hands of hosts Brazil.
Japan have endured a torrid time of late having changed managers just two months before kick-off in Russia. Can they spring an upset? Find out by following updates from AMITAI WINEHOUSE.
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