ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

FIFA World Cup: Another Upset! Japan Beat 10-man Colombia 2-1

Japan beat Colombia 2-1 to become the first team from Asia to beat a South American country at the FIFA World Cup.

Updated
Football
4 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female
Snapshot
  • Japan pulled off the latest upset of the 2018 World Cup by beating Colombia 2-1.
  • Win the win, Japan become the first Asian team to beat a South American opponent at the World Cup.
  • Colombia midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off in the third minute for deliberate handball - the second fastest red card in World Cup history.
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Yuya Osako had a surprise in store for those who thought Shinji Okazaki's lack of fitness left Japan little hope of competing with Colombia at the World Cup.

Oasko's gritty determination to set up one goal and his 73rd-minute header from Keisuke Honda's corner kick lifted Japan to a surprising 2-1 victory over the Colombians on Tuesday.

Osako won a bouncing ball to begin an early sequence that led to a penalty, put Colombia a man down and gave Japan a 1-0 lead when Shinji Kagawa converted from the spot.

0
Japan beat Colombia 2-1 to become the first team from Asia to beat a South American country at the FIFA World Cup.
Japan’s Shinji Kagawa, top, and Japan’s Genki Haraguchi, left, challenge Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez, right, during the group H match between Colombia and Japan.
(Photo: AP)
Japan beat Colombia 2-1 to become the first team from Asia to beat a South American country at the FIFA World Cup.
Referee Damir Skomina from Slovenia shows a red card to Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez, on the ground, during the group H match between Colombia and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup.
(Photo: AP)

Colombia had to play all but the opening minutes with 10 men after Carlos Sanchez received a red card for blocking Kagawa's shot on goal with his extended right arm.

Colombia equalized late in the first half on Juan Quintero's rolling but accurate free kick, which sneaked inside the right post.

Japan became the latest side to pull off an upset at the World Cup, joining Mexico, Switzerland and Iceland in earning surprising results.

This scoreline was particularly unexpected in light of the fact that Japan had changed coaches shortly before the tournament, and because no Asian team had ever previously defeated a South American side in 17 World Cup meetings.

Not only was Osako instrumental in both goals, he sprawled to block a close-range shot by Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez in the waning minutes.

Not a bad way to provide joy to a country recovering from a deadly earthquake in Osaka a day earlier. The result also brought a smile to Japanese princess Takamdo, who attended the match.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD
Japan beat Colombia 2-1 to become the first team from Asia to beat a South American country at the FIFA World Cup.
Japan’s head coach Akira Nishino, right, shake hands with Japan’s Yuya Osako, left, during the group H match between Colombia and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Mordavia Arena in Saransk.
(Photo: AP)

Colombia soundly defeated Japan 4-1 when the sides met in group play in Brazil four years ago, and the Japanese also began the game without Okazaki, a Leicester forward who has been trying to overcome a sore calf and was replaced in the starting lineup by Osako. Okazaki did get in the game, but not until the 85th minute.

But it was apparent within minutes that the rematch would not go so smoothly for Colombia, much to the chagrin of entire sections of the Mordovia Arena bathed in yellow.

In the third minute, Osako won a bouncing ball from defender Davinson Sanchez and broke in alone toward goal. Goalkeeper David Ospina blocked Osako's shot, but Kagawa pounced on the rebound and quickly got off a shot on goal that drew Sanchez's red card and the penalty.

Kagawa converted by directing his shot inside the right post.

Colombia began the game without Rodriguez, a Bayern Munich midfielder who was the leading scorer at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But Rodriguez had been laboring with a sore left calf recently, casting doubt over his readiness to play.

He came on to join captain Radamel Falcao in the 59th minute, but his best chances were thwarted by Japan's desperate defending near the goal.

Japan beat Colombia 2-1 to become the first team from Asia to beat a South American country at the FIFA World Cup.
Japan and Colombia players stand for their national anthems at the beginning of the group H match between Colombia and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Mordavia Arena in Saransk, Russia.
(Photo: AP)

Bizarre Beginnings

World Cup games are known for starting on time. But not this one.

When the game was due to officially start, Falcao walked across to Japan's side of the field and spoke to referee Damir Skomina in a discussion that lasted beyond the official countdown to kickoff.

When fans let out the customary cheer to mark the beginning of the match, the teams were still standing still. Moments later, Skomina ordered both teams to change sides and the match commenced shortly after.

Only minutes later came the wild sequence which set up the opening goal.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from sports and football

Published: 
Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×