Early red costs Colombia against Samurai Blue of Japan

Group H has opened with a match that was complete with everything you could hope for from a football match: goals, cards, controversy, and history.

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It all culminated with the final result of Japan winning 2-1, signifying the first Asian win in a world cup against a South American opponent.

Colombia were down to ten men within five minutes, as an early Japanese raid saw a shot blocked by a hand ball in the penalty area. Carlos Sanchez was given his marching orders as the first recipient of a red card at this world cup, the card also being the second earliest red card in world cup history.

However, the numerical disadvantage did not deter Colombia, as they made a swift tactical change, Juan Cuadrado making way for defensive stock in Wilmar Barrios. While that change was defensive, it gave Colombia the impetus to get back into the game.

Colombia struck back in the first half through a Juan Fernando Quintero free kick, his goal being the fourth goal scored in this tournament directly from a free kick. In Brazil, three goals from free kicks were scored for the whole tournament.

The Quintero goal was tinged in controversy, having come from a foul on Radamal Falcao that was drawn when Falcao made a meal of minor contact and, if anything, the Colombian had committed the foul on his opponent more than anything else.

Japan used the half-time break greatly to their advantage, coming out in the second half in a much calmer and composed manner, to take a grip of the game that Colombia could not shake.

Japan moved the ball perfectly at times, and mounted attack after attack. However, Colombia seemed more than up to the task, as they repelled each Japanese wave of attacking movement.

Japan would eventually take the lead that their play deserved through Yuyu Osaka, putting a header home from a well weighted corner kick, and that lead would prove unassailable.

Colombia brought James Rodriguez on with half an hour to go, the star player not starting due to a calf injury concern. James never really got into the contest, instead picking up an unnecessary yellow card for his troubles.

A thrilling encounter, if somewhat slower in the second half, but Japan finish with a win that their performance entirely deserved. Colombia will have to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and play to their maximum in the next two games, with little further room for error.

And thus Japan’s win was the first by an Asian nation over a South American team at a world cup in 17 attempts at trying, the three group points the least that Japan deserved, in a commanding performance.

They will not want to relax though, bearing in mind that they only faced ten men for the majority of this contest, and will not have such gracious favour in all likelihood by their next two opponents. For now, Japan can enjoy the moment, for which they were richly rewarded, and have thoroughly deserved.

Colombia have a lot of work to do, and will be surprised at their first up loss. However, they remain right in this tournament, and will be mindful that they have the quality to dig themselves out of this early hole.