An early red card for Carlos Sanchez and the resulting penalty gave Colombia a lot to do against Japan. A first half equaliser gave them hope but an improved second-half performance saw Japan run out 2-1 winners in this Group H opener.
Carlos Sanchez Sees Red
Colombia found themselves a man short before three minutes of the game had been played. David Ospina made a save as Yuya Osako found himself in on goal. The ball rebounded to the feet of Shinji Kagawa whose shot was handled away from goal by Carlos Sanchez of Colombia. Red card for Sanchez and the resulting penalty tucked calmly away by Kagawa to put Japan one up.
Colombia’s first chance of the game came after twelve minutes. Juan Quintero played a great ball into Radamel Falcao, only eight yards out but always on the stretch. Fortunately for Japan, he was unable to get any real direction on the shot and it went straight to goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Japan almost found themselves two up just after the half-hour mark. A nervous moment from Davinson Sanchez saw him lose the ball out wide. Yuya Osako cut in on goal but his shot was wild and flies across the face of goal.
Ten-man Colombia levelled the game shortly after as Falcao went down under the challenge Makoto Hasebe. The contentious free kick on the edge of the box was cleverly fired under the Japanese wall by Juan Quintero. The goalkeeper should’ve done better, scrambling across to gather, but only after it had crossed the line.
Osako forced another save from Ospina in the first real chance of the second half. A nicely weighted pass played through by Kagawa, but Osako’s left-foot shot was comfortable for the Colombian goalkeeper.
James Rodriguez Introduced
James Rodriguez was introduced to the game with an hour gone. Considered not fit enough to start because of a calf injury, Rodriguez replaced the goalscorer Quintero as Japan began to get on top of the game.
Japan continued to push for a second goal as ten-man Colombia struggle. And after 73 minutes they got it. A corner was whipped in by recently introduced Keisuke Honda onto the head of Yuya Osako, who had looked dangerous all game. Ospina hesitates and Osako’s header finds it’s way in via the post.
James Rodriguez’s first and only noteworthy contribution to the game came in the 85th minute. A yellow card for a foul on Genki Haraguchi. He was left out of the starting line-up for a reason, rushing him into this game hasn’t worked.
Colombia continued to chase the game deep into the five minutes of added time but Japan held on. Japan much improved in the second half and now leave Colombia with plenty to do in this group.
Up next for Japan are Senegal as they face off in Ekaterinburg. Colombia take on Poland in Kazan. Both games take place on June 24th.
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