The Group H clash will take place at the Mordovia Arena and while it is expected to feature the 2014 edition’s Golden Ball winner, recent reports suggest otherwise.
Here’s a look at some of the key talking points ahead of the encounter.
THE JAMES FACTOR
Four years ago, James Rodriguez took the tournament in Brazil by storm, secured a high-profile move to Real Madrid in the process and never looked back. His meteoric rise on after a stunning performance at the World Cup was the stuff of dreams. The question is whether he can emulate that display this time around.
James operates in the No10 position ahead of a double pivot in midfield. While he’s been more involved in the build-up play at Bayern Munich this season, he plays closer to the striker for Colombia and only drops deep on the ball occasionally to spray passes wide towards one of the wingers.
Boasting an eye for goal and a lethal left foot, James top scored for Los Cafeteros with six goals in qualifying. Following a fine season with Bayern during which he scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances, the attacking midfielder comes into the tournament with plenty of confidence.
That’s precisely why reports of his fitness issues ahead of Colombia’s opener has generated some of concern. Speaking on reports that the midfielder has suffered a calf injury in training, Japanese full-back Yuto Nagatomo said: “Nothing changes. Whether (Rodriguez) plays or not, no matter who lines up for our opponents, the way we approach the game doesn’t change.”
Colombia do alter their tactics in James’ absence though, deviating from their preferred 4-2-3-1 to adopt a 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1 instead. Either Carlos Bacca will join Radamel Falcao up front (or vice-versa) or the promising Jefferson Lerma replaces James with a slight tweak to the formation.
James Rodriguez.
SUN SETTING ON FAMILIAR FACES
Japan have more less been the best team in Asia over the last decade but for all their continental exploits, have never made it past the Round of 16 stage at the World Cup.
The Samurai Blue retain a familiar core of reputed talents who have impressed on the European circuit with various clubs.
Keisuke Honda, Eiji Kawashima, Takashi Inui, Shinji Kagawa, Maya Yoshida, Shinji Okazaki and Nagamuto are among their more high-profile players. Apart from Kagawa and Yoshida (both 29) the rest of them have all crossed the 30-mark. For many of them, this will be their last opportunity to leave a mark on the world stage.
That group of players did help secure four Asian Cup titles over the years but are yet to push the envelope on a global level. The experience and stability they provide though will be crucial as Japan arrived in Russia with a new coach in Akira Nishino following the sacking of Vahid Halilhodzic in April.
Nishino has only been in charge for three games but has reinstated the accomplished Kagawa as a key player in the side after the Borussia Dortmund playmaker was out of favour with his predecessor.
In response, the former Manchester United man scored a goal and set up two others to bring Japan’s five-match winless streak to an end with a 4-2 win over Paraguay in their final warm-up game.
Shinji Kagawa.
KEY BATTLE
Colombia’s first-choice left-back Frank Fabra suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture just 10 days before the start of their World Cup opener. With the Boca Juniors defender ruled out of the tournament, Jose Peckerman called up 34-year-old Farid Diaz in his stead.
However, the man likely to assume the starting role on the left side of defence is Johan Mojica. The 25-year-old Girona player who can operate at left-back or even further up the pitch is not lacking in pace. In fact, he has claimed he can run 100m in under 11 seconds and previously considered a career as a sprinter.
He has been in good form in La Liga and is a handful in attack but he will come up against Honda who can be a very tricky customer. The Japanese veteran excels with his clever movement while his tendency to drift infield could see Mojica faced with a host of problems.
Johan Mojica.
