Colombia vs. Japan
- When: Tuesday 19 June
- Kick-off time: 1pm (UK)
- Where: Mordovia Arena, Saransk
- TV channel: live on BBC One
Colombia reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and four years later they will be looking to emulate that success in Russia.
First up is a group H clash against Japan, a team they beat 4-1 in 2014. Led by talisman James Rodriguez, Jose Pekerman’s Colombia will have to perform well against a team “that can never be taken lightly”, says Fifa.com reporter Alejandra Rueda.
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She writes: “The Argentinian coach wants his players to start off the tournament on the right foot and victory would certainly give Los Cafeteros a major morale boost.”
Rodriguez, the Golden Boot winner in 2014, will provide support to a Colombian attack featuring Radamel Falcao, who is making his World Cup debut. Tottenham’s Davinson Sanchez will marshall the defence.
Japan’s new coach Akira Nishino will “stay true to his attacking approach”, says Fifa.com reporter Hidetoshi Suzuki, and will be “undaunted by the firepower possessed by Colombia”.
Suzuki writes: “In recent training sessions, he has hammered home that he wants his players to take risks and look to score goals. Nevertheless, regardless of the Samurai Blue’s game plan and tactical set-up, their midfield will be the centre of attention, with Makoto Hasebe and Gaku Shibasaki linking play with aplomb while Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa strive to make things happen going forward, particularly on the counter attack.”
Possible starting XIs
How the teams could line up for the match in Saransk, according to Fifa.com:
- Colombia (4-4-2): David Ospina; Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sanchez, Johan Mojica; Abel Aguilar, Carlos Sanchez, Juan Cuadrado, James Rodriguez; Luis Muriel, Radamel Falcao
- Japan (4-5-1): Eiji Kawashima; Hiroki Sakai, Maya Yoshida, Tomoaki Makino, Yuto Nagatomo; Makoto Hasebe, Gaku Shibasaki, Genki Haraguchi, Keisuke Honda, Takashi Inui; Yuya Osako
Group H fixtures and live TV channels
- 19 June: Colombia vs. Japan (1pm, BBC); Poland vs. Senegal (4pm, ITV)
- 24 June: Japan vs. Senegal (4pm, BBC); Poland vs. Colombia (7pm, ITV)
- 28 June: Senegal vs. Colombia (3pm, BBC); Japan vs. Poland (3pm, BBC)
