Japan vs Colombia preview: Latest news, likely line-ups and prediction

Sport360 staff 04:51 24/06/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Take the brakes off: Zaccheroni issues instructions to Keisuke Honda in training.

    Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni hopes his side can rediscover their attacking zest to prolong their World Cup campaign.

    The Asian champions face early elimination from the tournament in Brazil after failing to live up to expectations in their opening two games.

    Japan first conceded a lead to lose to Ivory Coast in their Group C opener and then played out a drab goalless draw with Greece.

    They now head into their final group match against already-qualified Colombia in Cuiaba tonight needing to win while hoping Ivory Coast slip up in their simultaneous clash with the Greeks.

    “We haven’t had enough speed in our play and it’s as though the players have been playing with the brakes on,” Zaccheroni, the veteran Italian coach, told reporters.

    “The problem is probably mental. We’re not satisfied with our performances so far. This team has given lots of joy and satisfaction in previous matches over the past four years, so I’m hoping we can show that good part of our football against Colombia.”

    Colombia top the group with six points from their opening two games while Ivory Coast have three.

    apan and Greece have a point apiece, with Zaccheroni’s men boasting the superior goal By Staff Reporter Take the brakes off: Zaccheroni issues instructions to Keisuke Honda in training. difference.

    Yet while Japan may hope that Colombia ease up with their place in the last 16 assured, the South American side will want to lay down a further marker of their abilities.

    Colombia, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, struck three times against Greece and impressed again in their 2-1 defeat of Ivory Coast.

    That has carried them into the knockout phase for the first time since 1990 and the world’s eighthranked side want to continue the momentum.

    Forward James Rodriguez, who has scored in both games so far, said: “Why can’t we be the revelation of the tournament? I hope we will be.”

    His coach Jose Pekerman was a little more circumspect.Comparisons with the team that reached the last 16 in 1990 have been rife within the Colombian media, but Pekerman said: “It’s impossible not to think of that Colombia team that astonished the world of football at that time.

    “The memories are very well kept in our minds and our hearts. We will not get carried away thinking we can go further than them. We still have a game against Japan to think about.”

    LIKELY LINE-UPS 

    PREDICTION 

    If Colombia want to win then they should win the game. Japan have little penetration. 2-0 to Colombia.

    Recommended