Japan pips
The complexion of the game in Saransk was changed radically when Colombia’s of Russia 2018 for handball in the opening minutes of the contest.
Shinji Kagawa scored from the penalty spot and although Juan Quintero equalized - rior numbers count, with Osako heading in from a corner to seal the win.
“To score a goal at the World Cup has been a dream for me since I was little, so I was extremely happy,” the match-winner said.
Akira Nishino was only appointed as Japan coach in April, replacing Vahid Halilhodzic during a tumultuous build-up to
their World Cup campaign.
But despite the win, Nishino said nothing was decided yet.
“Our players were aggressive from the start and I think that worked very well for us. This is just one win and three points, so we will save our celebration.”
Brazil 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez came on for the last half-hour after laboring in training with a calf strain but could not inspire his team to pull back on level terms.
The result was bitterly disappointing for Colombia coach Jose Pekerman, with Robert Lewandowski-led Poland, then Senegal to come in Group H.
“It is tough to lose a player [Sanchez] so early, especially one so important,” Pekerman said.
“Despite that, we came back in the second half, but with Japan having an extra player, it was very hard to recover possession.”
Traveling Colombia fans turned the Mordovia Arena into a sea of yellow for the early kick-off but were soon stunned into silence.
Red card
a raised arm and referee Damir Skomina showed him a straight red card after pointing to the spot without referring to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The Colombians bitterly protested but Kagawa drilled home the spot kick to put Japan ahead in the sixth minute.
It was the second-fastest red card in World
Colombia poured forward and their captain, Radamel Falcao, twice went close.
Pekerman made a tactical switch on 31
minutes, with Wilmar Barrios replacing Ju
The pressure paid off as Quintero’s low inside the post shortly before half-time. The
Japan pressed after the break, forcing Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina into a string of saves.
To a deafening roar from Colombia fans, James came on for Quintero with just over 30 minutes remaining, before Barrios earned a yellow card for clattering Kagawa from behind.
count when Osako, who was a constant menace to the Colombia defense, leapt highest from a corner and guided his header in off the post with 17 minutes to go.
The goal jolted Colombia into life as James then Barrios went close at the other end but