Japan will be hoping to get revenge after a 4-1 humiliation in the 2014 World Cup.
Group H is potentially the most exciting group in this edition of the World Cup because of how open it is. Colombia are favourites to win it, but each side has a convincing case. They each have a number of exciting players at their disposal as well. Therefore, this group could be really entertaining to carry on the theme of this World Cup, which has impressed so far.
These sides have hugely contrasting aims because La Tricolor will be intending to match or improve on their quarter-final finish last time out while the Samurai Blue will be happy to get out of the group.
This opening game will be integral to any potential success. Nerves could play a part in this game, but it has all the ingredients to be an exciting game full of attacking intent.
World Cup preparation
Colombia have had goalscoring issues because their two games immediately prior to this tournament were 0-0 draws against Australia and Egypt. They have only conceded two goals in their last four games, though, which were in the 3-2 win over France. Therefore, they are tough to break down, but their last loss was a 2-1 defeat to South Korea.
Japan’s run up to the tournament was disappointing because they only won one out of three games, although that was against South American opponents Paraguay, which would have been designed to prepared for this specific match due to the traditional focus on utilising regional opposition as warm-up games. They lost 2-0 to Switzerland and Ghana, and the Paraguay win was their only one in six games.
Players to watch
Colombia: James Rodriguez
The 26-year-old lit up Brazil four years ago with some sublime performances and a stunning finish against Uruguay in the Round of Sixteen. He is still a pivotal part of their attacking play due to being the playmaker in the side. The system is built around him, so that play can go through him and he isn’t forced into wide areas.
They will need him to break apart teams that are in their defensive shape. He adds to the creative spark to the team and ensures they aren’t restricting to moving the majority of the play down the flanks.
His main task will be finding space behind the two defensive midfielders in Japan’s setup. He also may drift into deeper areas to receive possession and aid the team’s progression up the pitch.
Any opening in central attacking areas could see him unleash a shot because he is more than capable at long-range distance shooting. Therefore, Japan are likely to play compact, which increases the space for players such as Juan Cuadrado to exploit, with quick switches of play being key.
Japan: Shinji Kagawa
The Samurai Blue have the advantage of being an experienced side, with veterans such as Kagawa and Keisuke Honda. Their combination play will be important and it means that Japan will play quite narrow with Honda tucking inside. Therefore, they could be risky and have the right full-back provide attacking width, which leaves an opening for Colombia to exploit.
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Kagawa will be key in unlocking the opposition through his precise through balls to provide the pre-assist. Colombia’s centre-back pairing may be relatively inexperienced due to their age, but they are both formidable aerial presences. Keeping possession along the ground in open play will be key for Japan, with cut backs from the byline being a useful asset.
The 29-year-old has only played a full 90 minutes once for the national team since 2016, but that was in the last game against Paraguay. Kagawa was exceptional, though, as he scored once and assisted two others.
Akira Nishino’s appointment earlier this year, to replace Vahid Halilhodžić, has led to more experienced players being involved. Nishino will be relying on these individuals to turn up in this World Cup, but whether that happens is an uncertainty currently.
Possible lineups
Colombia (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Arias, Sanchez, Mina, Mojica; Sanchez, Barrios; Cuadrado, Rodriguez, Uribe; Falcao
Japan (4-2-3-1): Kawashima; Sakai, Yoshida, Makino, Nagatomo; Honda, Kagawa, Haraguchi; Okazaki
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Prediction: Colombia 2-1 Japan
Colombia’s recent results suggests that they are defensively-minded, but the need for a result should open them up. Therefore, this could be an entertaining game, with Japan’s range of talented attackers playing a part. La Tricolor should have enough to come away with the win, and Rodriguez or Falcao are likely to score at least one between them.