Poland secured their first win of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and in the process, nearly eliminated Japan from the tournament.
Colombia’s victory over Senegal however, and Japan’s minimal yellow cards secures the Asian nation’s place in the round of 16. They are the only team from the Asian confederation to qualify for the knockout stages this time round.
Japan made life difficult for themselves after conceding in the second half as Jan Bednarek put Poland ahead after volleying home truly close to goal.
Despite chasing the game for a few minutes, Japan began to play like a team protecting a lead as they placed all their faith in Colombia holding on to defeat Senegal in the other match over 500 miles away.
The last ten minutes in particular saw Japan merely pass the ball amongst themselves in their own half as they tried desperately to avoid conceding another goal that would have eliminated them from the tournament.
Interestingly enough, Poland decided not to press Japan and simply let the Asian nation play conservatively en route to fulltime.
In the end, Japan’s faith in Colombia paid off and they are now through to the knockout stages where they will face either England or Belgium in the next round. Congratulations to Japan.
Japan 0
Poland 1
A draw will be enough for Japan to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup when they face the already eliminated Poland. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 12am (AEST).
Japan are within touching distance of reaching the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup for the third time in their history. A draw against Poland will guarantee the Samurai Blue qualification from the group stage, while depending on other results, even defeat at the Volgograd Arena could grant the Japanese a spot in the round of 16.
Poland are already going home from the tournament, but Adam Nawalka’s side will not want to leave Russia with zero points on the board.
The Polish will do everything they can to make life difficult for Japan, as Robert Lewandowski, the leading marksman in European qualification, attempts to score his first goal at Russia 2018.
The Japanese just need a draw with Poland to qualify for the round of 16, but there is no doubt the Samurai Blue will play at full throttle and try to get three points, avoiding any risks. A loss to go with a win for Colombia over Senegal as well as a flip in goal difference could still mean they miss out.
The coach Akira Nishino will probably start the same line-up as in the previous two matches. The scorer of the key goal against Senegal, Keisuke Honda, is still viewed as the trump card and will most likely come off the bench.
If Poland fail to win against Japan, it will be their worst ever performance at a World Cup. In 2002 and 2006, the team had also spurned their chances of qualification for the knockout rounds after two matches, but in both cases managed to win their final group-stage game. A few changes are expected in the starting line-up, including potentially Lukasz Fabianski instead of Wojciech Szczesny in goal.
Prediction
Japan have confirmed themselves as Asia’s best team at this World Cup and deserve to go through based on their great performances so far against Colombia and Senegal. Poland’s limitations are clear and Japan should do enough to get the draw they need to qualify safely
Japan and Poland to draw 1-1.
Andreas Michael
Roar Rookie
FIFA can eradicate the rigging of group placings by doing following: Have the 4 teams per group as is, but instead of round robin, have top seeded team play lowest ranked team in the group & the other 2 teams play wach other. Winners of both matches play each other & losers play each other in 2nd phase. Winner of the 2 winners goes through as top ranked team, then loser & winner of 2 losers play off for 2nd spot. Loser of of the losers bows out. These 4 teams should play all in same city as double headers. This will mean no draws & a winner required in each game(have exta time & penalties if need be). Much more logical.
Alan
Roar Guru
Poland secure their first win of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and in the process, nearly eliminated Japan from the tournament. Colombia's victory over Senegal however, and Japan's minimal yellow cards secures the Asian nation's place in the round of 16. They are the only team from the Asian confederation to qualify for the knockout stages this time round. Japan made life difficult for themselves after conceding in the second half as Jan Bednarek put Poland ahead after volleying home truly close to goal. Despite chasing the game for a few minutes, Japan began to play like a team protecting a lead as they placed all their faith in Colombia holding on to defeat Senegal in the other match over 500 miles away. The last ten minutes in particular saw Japan merely pass the ball amongst themselves in their own half as they tried desperately to avoid conceding another goal that would have eliminated them from the tournament. Interestingly enough, Poland decided not to press Japan and simply let the Asian nation play conservatively en route to fulltime. In the end, Japan's faith in Colombia paid off and they are now through to the knockout stages where they will face either England or Belgium in the next round. Congratulations to Japan.
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Poland not even interested in pressing Japan here. They are just letting the Japanese pass the ball amongst themselves. That is it! Full Time
Japan: 0 Poland: 1
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Japan are just passing the ball amongst themselves and are not even interested in going for goal here. Dangerous game indeed! Ultimate faith in Colombia. Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Japan have put all their money on Colombia doing a favour here. Amazing. Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Japan are sitting back here. Japan going through on the fair play rule I believe. Senegal have acquired more yellow cards than Japan Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Astonishing really. Japan literally just moving the ball like they are protecting a lead! They really really have faith in Colombia here. Will it pay off??? Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - No urgency from Japan. They really must have faith that Colombia will defeat Senegal in the other match. If Senegal equalise, Japan are gone Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Well like Mexico before them, Japan relying on a massive favour from Colombia here to qualify. Mexico are only through because of South Korea's divine win over Germany. Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Poland make two changes. Lost opportunity for Poland. They were on the verge of making Euro semifinals two years ago, suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal I believe. Now they are exiting in the group stages despite holding the lead here Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Colombia have taken the lead against Senegal and currently top their group. Japan are in second position as it stands. The drama yet again takes hold! Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Well the teams that are playing for pride have had a massive say on who qualifies and who misses out over the past two days. South Korea of course knocking Germany out and keeping Mexico in. Poland now knocking Japan out and keeping Colombia in the tournament Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Poland could have put Japan to bed here but Lewandowski misses from close range as Poland open Japan right up on the counter yet again! Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Have to say that Poland are looking more threatening than Japan. And the Poles have nothing to play for. Japan need to react and quickly Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Inui comes on for Usami as Japan make their second change. Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Japan doing a Mexico here. Lacking the cutting edge play of their first two matches and they are paying a very heavy price after previously being in a strong position to qualify... Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Japan only have themselves to blame here. As it stands, Japan are going home if Colombia and Senegal continue to remain scoreless Japan 0 Poland 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Goal Poland are on the board and the drama really begins now for Japan! Freekick whipped into the area and the ball volleyed home into the back of the net by Bednarek Japan: 0 Poland: 1
Alan
Roar Guru
59' - Well this goalless stalemate suits the Japanese just fine. The best chance of the game has fallen to Poland. Japan creating some good half chances but nothing to score Fabianski Japan 0 Poland 0
Alan
Roar Guru
53' - Poland open Japan up on the counter but the final ball to Lewandowski is claimed by Japan's no. 1. Japan vulnerable. At least there is life in this contest. Japan 0 Poland 0