from EDDIE KIRK

JAPAN coach Akira Nishino fears that a combination of Polish pride and Robert Lewandowski’s firepower could ruin their World Cup dream.

A point will be enough to guarantee Japan’s progress to the knockout stages, with Poland already out after disastrous defeats to Senegal and Colombia.

But Nishino knows Lewandowski will not want to head home without a goal to his name.

The Bayern Munich striker bagged 16 goals in qualifying and Nishino said: “There is no such thing as a consolation match or that the match does not matter.

“I am sure Poland would like to play for their pride. Lewandowski is a world-class marksman. I am sure he will come out trying to score.”

The teams will also have to deal with Volgograd’s sweltering temperatures, which could approach 40 degrees before the game.

But Nishino reckons defying pretournament gloom with victory over Colombia and a draw against Senegal will keep his Samurai Blues fresh.

He added: “I was surprised how humid it was. But I do not think the team’s physical condition is very much affected by that.

“We have had pretty good results so far, so the players do not feel too tired.

“We don’t think Poland are indestructible.

“Poland qualified from Europe, which is very tough, but we had two very tough matches and still earned points.”

And while he might have concerns about Lewandoski, Nishino reckons he has a potential match-winner in Real Betis midfielder Takashi Inui.

Hailing Inui, who scored one goal and set up the other as Japan twice fought back from behind to draw with Senegal, Nishino said: “Inui is showing a performance beyond our expectation.”

Polish winger Jakub Blaszczykowski insists his side still have a point to prove.

He said: “We are all aware that we failed. We had our dreams but were not able to fulfil them here.

“We gave Polish people a lot of joy in the last four years.

“Now we must prove that we’re the team which never gives up.”