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After two somewhat disappointing efforts in a row, Japan will be out to prove they are still at the top of Asian football when they head to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This is The Roar‘s guide to their matches, Australian kick-off times and broadcast details.
The Japanese made the Round of 16 in 2010, but lost 5-3 on penalties to Paraguay, before not qualifying for the Round of 16 in 2014, instead losing to the Ivory Coast and Colombia as well drawing with a ten-man Greece in what was a difficult group to get out of.
This time around, they have again been drawn in the same group as Colombia, but will also take on Senegal and Poland.
» Download your free 2018 World Cup schedule PDF, with all matches in Australian time
| Game No. | Group | Date | Time | Match | Venue | Broadcast |
| 15 | H | Tue 19 Jun | 10:00 PM | Colombia vs Japan | Mordovia Arena | SBS, Optus |
| 31 | H | Mon 25 Jun | 1:00 AM | Japan vs Senegal | Ekaterinburg Arena | Optus |
| 45 | H | Fri 29 Jun | 12:00 AM | Japan vs Poland | Volgograd Arena | Optus |
Japan open their campaign against Colombia, the same team who thumped them 4-1 at Brazil 2014. While that ended their run there, they will be more confident this time around of causing an upset.
The other two games against Senegal and Poland should be a lot more winnable, with all three teams sitting around the mid-point of team rankings, although Poland are only just outside the top ten on the latest version released by FIFA.
Drawn in Group H, Japan would appear likely to finish second in the group, which would line them up for a likely match against Belgium, who seem to be the favourites to finish top of Group G.
If Japan were to beat Colombia, then they would be more likely to take on England.
Should scenario A play out and England beat Belgium, their next likely opponent would come in the shape of the number two ranked Brazil.
Don’t forget to follow The Roar during the FIFA World Cup for live blogs of every single game, highlights as well as daily analysis and opinion so you won’t miss a thing.
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