'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Japan stunned Colombia in the opening game of Group G at the Mordovia Arena in the FIFA World Cup this evening. The Blue Samurais were handed a huge favour as early as in the 3rd minute when Carlos Sanchez was given the marching orders for handling the ball inside the penalty area. This was the second fastest sending off in the history of the tournament and Shinji Kagawa made no mistake from 12 yards out.
Despite the early advantage, Japan allowed Colombia to settle down and the numerical indifference was almost not at all evident as the South Americans clawed their way back into the game. Juan Quintero hit a low free-kick under the wall to beat Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to bring the teams back on level terms in the 35th minute.
However, Yuya Osako's winner in the 73rd minute ensured that Japan avenged the horrors of their meeting with Colombia (a 4-1 loss) in Brazil four years ago and became the first ever team from Asia to beat a South American outfit in the World Cup. Without further delay, let's take a closer look at a few factors that probably helped Japan outshine Colombia:
#1 Colombia's hapless start
The game got off to a flying and controversial start when Carlos Sanchez handled the ball in an attempt to block a shot on goal from Japan and referee Damir Skomina did not hesitate to pull out the red card from his pocket in the 3rd minute. Japan made full use of the golden opportunity and it was on a plate for Shinji Kagawa to slot the ball past a helpless David Ospina in the opposition's goal.
Jose Pekerman was forced to make a tactical tweak after his side were reduced to 10 men and the resulting roll of the dice meant that Colombia's brightest hope until that point, Juan Cuadrado, had to replaced by the more defensive minded Wilmar Barrios to help ease the pressure on Juan Quintero.
Colombia eventually clawed their way back into the game but it only showed how destructive they could have been without the numerical disadvantage.
#2 Pekerman not risking James Rodriguez
Colombia's poster boy for the World Cup and the biggest breakthrough star from Brazil four years ago started the game on the bench after head coach Jose Pekerman believed that the Bayern midfielder lacked match fitness. Juan Quintero who started in his place staked a claim for a starting role in the next game with a stunning equalizer for his side but it is as clear as daylight that Rodriguez would have offered a whole lot more.
The dynamic midfielder who won the Golden Boot award in Brazil four years ago was introduced in the 60th minute for the Los Cafeteros but he was restricted from playing his natural game to cope up with the numerical disadvantage that eventually helped Japan clinch all three points, just about 13 minutes after his introduction.
#3 Nishino's last roll of the dice
With the game heading into the dying moments, Japan needed to gamble to pull off an upset and coach Akira Nishino made a bold call when he replaced goal-scorer Shinji Kagawa by introducing Keisuke Honda in the 70th minute. The gamble paid off handsomely when Honda's whipping delivery from a corner landed perfectly on Yuya Osako's head for the striker to guide it past David Ospina with a little help from the inside of the post.
Nishino's last roll of the dice proved to be an uncompromising one that helped Japan script history at the World Cup which in turn boosted their chances of qualifying from what now looks like a relatively open Group H.
