Historic win for Japan
As sharp as Samurai swords, Japan twice sliced their way through the Colombian defence to earn the first ever win for an Asian side at the World Cup finals on Tuesday afternoon.
Assisted by a red card as early as the third miniute when Carlos Moreno did an imitation of a traffic cop and the ball hit his oustretched arm, the Japanese strode to 2-1 win – the ease of which is not reflected by the scoreline.
Goals from Kagawa, who took the spot kick following the hand ball and sending off, and one from Osaka to seal matters in the 73rd minute were enough to see off Colombia, who scored their only goal in the 39th minute via the hard-working Quintero.
While the assumption is that 11 men versus 10 for almost the whole match would automatically determine the outcome, that’s not always the case. as it disrupts both sides.
To their credit, Japan kept their discipline and formation, letting the ball exploit the extra space until the gaps appeared.
They now wait the for the next Group H game to commence in a short while: Poland vs Senegal.
We will be rooting for the African warriors, believing they will be the first from our continent to make an impact this time round.
Let’s hope they do a ‘Pole’ dance around their tough European opponents.
Senegal: Pride of Africa sink Poland
The Lions of Teranga were redubbed the Pride of Africa as Senegal sank Poland 2-1 at the Spartak Stadium on Tuesday evening. And although the perpetual quarter finalists came into the game in the latter stages, it was the African champions who dominated for large sections of the Group H encounter.
The first stanza was all Senegal, who were faster and physically stronger in the 50-50 contests, winning virtually everything in the air as well as the second balls. They created plenty of chances but the goal, when it did come in the 37th minute, was courtesy of a lucky (or unlucky, if you are Polish) deflection off Cionek that gave his keeper no chance. Senegal grew in confidence after that goal and went into the break brimming with confidence.
Poland, on the contrary, looked frustrated – especially at the fact the Senegalese had taken Polish playmaker Lewandowski out of the game through clever marking.
Senegal extended their lead in somewhat controversial fashion when Niane was allowed back on the field following his injury and promptly latched onto an outrageously sloppy back pass the bundle the ball into the back of the net. Poland got one back from a headed corner but were unable to stem the sands of time and became the second of the group’s favourites to go through – the other being Colombia – to emerge pointless after their first match.
PS The game, as with all the others thus far, was marked by good sportsmanship. But expect that to change as the tournament gets to the sharp end!
Also read: FIFA eyes big crowds, bigger profits at 2026 World Cup
Russia vs Egypt
In a result of Biblical proportions, Pharaoh’s army drowned in the tide of a red sea of Russian jerseys at St Petersburg in Tuesday’s final World Cup game. The hosts continued their prolific goal scoring run by notching three goals (Fatti o.g., Cheryshev, Zuber) to the lone reply that was Mo Salah’s penalty.
Egypt’s hopes had been pinned on the return to the fold of Salah, who wasn’t deemed ready after injury for the first Group A outing – which they lost 1-0 to Uruguay. But the wait proved too much of a weight resting on the shoulders of the man who scored 44 goals for Liverpool this season.
C’est la vie: such is life. Salah wie? The anticipation exceeded the actual event.
He was unable to make an impact and will pack his bags along with the rest of the team as they become the first country to exit the tournament, while Russia are the first to have taken the ‘steppes’ to the last 16.
Also read: FIFA to choose North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup today
