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Teetering on the brink of elimination, Japan find themselves facing a must-win game against Colombia, who have already qualified for the Round of 16. The Asian champions have come up with disappointing performances in their first two matches against Ivory Coast and Greece. They now face the unenviable task of having to beat an impressive Colombia side and relying on a positive result from the other game. The Colombians have the luxury of resting a few players, but will still seek to win and top the group with a 100% record.
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| Ivory Coast | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Japan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Greece | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
Ivory Coast will qualify if they defeat Greece, regardless of Japan’s result against Colombia.
In case the Ivorians draw, Japan can qualify with a win by a two-goal margin.
If Ivory Coast lose to Greece, then Japan have to win by keeping their goal difference above that of the Greeks (Japan’s goal difference currently betters Greece’s by two goals).
Venue
The game will be played at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. The 41,112 seater stadium was built on the site where the Estadio Jose Fragelli used to be. This will be the last game hosted by the stadium in this World Cup.
Kickoff Time
June 25 – 1.30 am – Indian Standard Time (IST)
June 24 – 5.00 pm – Local Time
Possible Starting Line ups
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni will have another selection headache with his side in miserable form when it comes to finding the net. Against Greece, he started with both Yoshito Okubo and Yuya Osako in attack but it didnt work out. He will now have to decide whether to reinstate out-of-form Shinji Kagawa, who was dropped from the starting lineup for the Greece match. Tonight will be the perfect time for Kagawa to get back to his brilliant best,
On the other side, Jose Pekerman can afford to tinker with his Colombian team, who have impressed pundits and fans with superb displays that saw them qualify with a match to spare. There is talk that 43 year old keeper Faryd Mondragon may start ahead of first choice David Ospina. Porto attacker Jackson Martinez is likely to start. Fredy Guarin and Carlos Bacca may make an appearance from the bench.Japan (4-2-3-1): Eiji Kawashima; Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, Yasuyuki Konno,Atsuto Uchida; Hotaru Yamaguchi, Makoto Hasebe; Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki; Yoshito Okubo.
Colombia (4-2-3-1): Faryd Mondragón; Santiago Arias,Edgar Balanta, Cristián Zapata, Juan Zúñiga; Fredy Guarin, Abel Aguilar; Víctor Ibarbo, James Rodríguez, Juan Cuadrado; Jackson Martínez.
Key facts and stats
- Japan are winless against South American opposition at the World Cup.
- Japan have never scored against Colombia in their only two previous fixtures.
- Colombia won their only game against an Asian team at a World Cup (2-0 v United Arab Emirates in 1990).
- Juan Cuadrado (3) has now provided more assists at a single World Cup since 1966 than any other Colombian player.
- James Rodriguez has scored in each of his last four appearances for Colombia.
- 2014 is the first World Cup in which Colombia have won more than once.
- Japan have scored only one goal in their last three World Cup games.
- Colombia have only won one of their four final group games at previous World Cups.
Key battles
Keisuke Honda v Cristian Zapata: This is it for Honda; it’s now or never. At the peak footballing age, this is probably his final chance to make history for his country. Going out in a game like this would be devastating. It is crucial for Japan, that Honda come out on top in the battle against a stubborn Colombian defence. With Mario Yepes likely to be rested, it will be Cristian Zapata who will marshal the defence for Los Cafeteros. It will be his duty to keep his Milan teammate Honda in check.
James Rodriguez v Eiji Kawashima: Japan keeper Kawashima conceded twice in the opening match against Ivory Coast, and then had a rather uneventful time in goal against a defensive Greek side. But Colombia will prove to be a sterner test for the Standard Liege custodian with James Rodriguez being the most dangerous player in attack. Rodriguez has scored in each of his last four appearances for his country and adding to it against Japan doesnt seem very unlikely.
Prediction
Colombia may have already qualified and even if they do start with a weaker first XI, Japan will find the going tough. It is a must win game for the Samurai Blue and in pushing forward for much needed goals, there is a possibility of leaving gaps behind. If Colombia retain their brilliant attacking form, then it will end disappointingly for Japan.
Predicted scoreline: Colombia 2-0 Japan
Match officials
- Referee: Pedro Proenca (POR)
- Assistant Referee 1:Bertino Miranda (POR)
- Assistant Referee 2:Jose Trigo (POR)
- Fourth official:Roberto Moreno (PAN)
