Japan in the history books
FOR AFRICA: 1ST TEAM FROM CONTINENT TO WIN HERE
– Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in Group H on Tuesday to become the first Asian side to beat a South American one at a World Cup.
Asian teams had managed three draws in 17 matches against South American sides but the four-times Asian champions made their extra man count after Colombia midfielder Carlos Sanchez (below) became the first player to get a red card in Russia.
His sending-off in the third minute, for a deliberate handball, was the second fastest in World Cup history after Uruguay’s Jose Batista was dismissed after 55 seconds against Scotland in 1986.
Shinji Kagawa scored from the spot to give Japan the lead.
Juan Quintero’s clever low freekick in the 39th minute brought Colombia’s equaliser but Yuya Osako headed a corner into the net for the 73rd-minute winner.
It was sweet revenge for Japan, who were thumped 4-1 by Colombia in Brazil four years ago, but they wasted plenty of chances.
Kagawa went close in the 16th minute but his shot rolled past the post and Osako fired across the face of goal.
With Japan dominating in midfield, coach Jose Pekerman opted to sacrifice Juan Cuadrado after 30 minutes and send on defensive midfielder Wilmar Barrios.
That gave Colombia extra control and captain Radamel Falcao came more into the game.
Falcao, making his World Cup debut after missing the last tournament in Brazil with injury, showed his hunger when he stretched to get his foot to an overhead cross but did not have the power to beat the goalkeeper.
Genki Haraguchi’s foul on Falcao earned Colombia a foul on the edge of the box and Quintero fired a low free-kick under the leaping wall. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima reacted late and the ball crossed the line.
Pekerman introduced James Rodriguez, who did not start due to a calf problem, in the 59th minute but the Golden Boot winner in Brazil was unable to change the course of the match. –
Senegal became the first African team to win a match at the 2018 World Cup yesterday when they beat Poland 2-1, helped by two shocking errors in the European side’s defence.
Poland defender Thiago Cionek stuck out a leg and deflected Idrissa Gueye’s wayward shot into the net in the 37th minute before goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny rushed unnecessarily out of his area and allowed M’Baye Niang to nip in and score into an empty net on the hour.
Grzegorz Krychowiak headed Poland’s goal in the 86th minute.
The win took Senegal top of Group H with three points, along with Japan who also beat Colombia by the same score. Colombia and Poland are both without a point.
Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia games.
Poland’s record scorer Robert Lewandowski got little change out of a well-drilled Senegal defence, led by Kalidou Koulibaly, and they sorely missed key defender Kamil Glik, still recovering from a training injury sustained two weeks ago.
The first half hour was a sorry affair strewn with misplaced passes from both sides and neither of the dangermen – Lewandowski and Senegal’s Sadio Mane – seeing much of the ball.
The first shot on target produced the first goal as Senegal went ahead in the 38th minute.
Niang won a challenge with Lukasz Piszczek, burst down the left and found Mane who in turn slipped the ball to Gueye.
The midfielder’s shot appeared to be going wide until the hapless Cionek stuck out a leg and deflected it past Szczesny.
Lewandowski sprang into life five minutes after halftime as he won possession, burst clear and was up-ended by Salif Sane. He took the free kick himself and although he managed Poland’s first all lost their opening shot on target, it was saved by Khadim N’Diaye.
Poland appeared to be coming back into the game until the most embarrassing moment of the World Cup so far.
Krychowiak sent a long ball back from deep inside the Senegal half, Szczesny rushed out of his area to collect the pass but Niang stole in to score to Polish disbelief.
Krychowiak partially made amends with his goal but it was too late for the disappointing Poles.
For decades, many of Africa’s most successful teams have had European or Latin American coaches, but Aliou Cisse reckoned it was time to move on. “Sure, I’m the only black coach in this World Cup. But these are debates that bother me. I believe football is universal and the colour of your skin doesn’t matter,” he said.
“I represent a new generation which wants to find its place in African football and world football.”
Cisse insisted his side were set on enjoying their return to the global stage. –