GREAT ESCAPE
Martinez hails Belgians but it’s cruel on Japan
BELGIUM manager Roberto Martinez told his players to ‘keep believing’ after they pulled off one of the all-time great World Cup escape acts last night with a remarkable comeback against Japan.
Two goals down with 20 minutes to go, Roberto Martinez’s side were heading for a shock exit.
But Jan Vertonghen and Marouanne Fellaini hauled them back into the game, before Nacer Chadli scored a dramatic winner in the final seconds of stoppage time following a devastating counter attack launched by keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Belgium now meet Brazil in a mouth-watering quarter-final after they ended Mexico’s hopes with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino.
COLOMBIA boss Jose Pekerman remains confident that talisman James Rodriguez will be fit to face England tonight as he races to recover from a leg injury. The Golden Boot winner at the World Cup four years ago lasted only 30 minutes in their dramatic 1-0 victory over Senegal that saw them advance through the group stage but he could recover for tonight’s last-16 encounter. ‘We had good news after his medical test (two days ago). After the MRI scan, it was clear there was no serious injury,’ said Pekerman. Rodriguez did not start the training session with the team yesterday but instead did stretching exercises. It was not clear if he would join in once the media had left. Pekerman said Luis Muriel, who had replaced Rodriguez against Senegal, was an option once more should the midfielder be ruled out. Rodriguez has been involved in ten of Colombia’s last 14 World Cup goals. ‘Of course Luis Muriel is an option. He was great during match against Senegal and his skills were really valuable. He changed the pace, he is very gifted technically, very fast he can play really well,’ said Pekerman. ‘I think the most important thing is to keep creating possibilities without losing possession. My team has managed to develop in this sense. We are quite stable even when things turn difficult,’ said the 68-year-old. The Argentine praised England, saying they were favourites and had the advantage of having rested many players in their final group match as they had already secured their knockout spot early. Colombia’s qualification went down to the wire in their last group match with Senegal. ‘This tournament has many games and not much time to recover, so this is obviously an advantage for England,’ he said. ‘But we have played tough matches that have made us stronger, more confident and with more belief in ourselves. ‘We are very self-confident and that will compensate for the fact that they are more rested.’ Already bestowed citizenship for his services to Colombian football, Pekerman was feted by huge crowds in Bogota after Rodriguez and his team-mates stormed into the 2014 quarter-finals. An offer of the presidency might almost be expected if Pekerman can go further in Russia. Striker Radamel Falcao accepts England may be regarded as favourites but that does not concern him. He said: ‘It is normal for people in England to think they’re favourites but we want to concentrate on the weapons and skills we have.’ Falcao failed to impress in spells in England with both Manchester United and Chelsea but insists he does not have a point to prove. He said: ‘It is true I didn’t shine as I wanted to but that is part of the past.’