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#3 Kagawa and other stars rise to the occasion
As far as the sprinkling of stardust goes, Japan has their own share of stars amongst their ranks. Be it Kagawa or Keisuke Honda or the likes of Haraguchi and Yoshida. The Japanese lined up 4-2-3-1 against the Colombians and the beneficiary of this rapidly rotating attacking three was their striker Osako.
Osako went off on runs down alleys that dragged the central defence and was a contributor to the shocking defensive lapse in the opening minutes. That aside, Eiji Kawashima, the keeper made two close-range saves to prevent Colombia from scoring. Japan though could have easily collapsed and it is a testament to their coach 63-year-old Akira Nishino, who was chosen at the last minute to take Japan through the tournament. Akira’s appointment was no surprise as he was in charge of the Japanese team that beat Brazil at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Hasebe another stalwart of the Japanese team was instrumental in stemming the tide of the Colombian attacks as ‘Los Cafeteros’ – The Coffee Growers looked for a way back into the game. Pekerman though will have to plot a different path for his wards if Colombia is to replicate their performances from last time around.
