Everyone knew Group H would be a balanced one, but who would’ve thought Senegal and Japan would be the first and second placed team after round one?
Carlos Sanchez’s third minute red card certainly helped make things easier for Japan. Akira Nishino’s team was caught off guard by what had occurred, as they appeared lost after Kagawa scored from the spot. As if they didn’t know how to react with a man up. Even with a man disadvantage and without their star player James Rodriguez, Colombia pressed and pushed in the first half. Eventually, they tied the game through Juan Quintero’s sneaky free kick. Japan’s head coach made the adjustments in the second half and put his team in a position to take advantage of the extra player on the pitch. As the Colombians were getting tired, Japan was pressing harder. The game-winner, however, came from a dead play again. The Japanese team was inferior when it came to winning headers throughout the contest, except in that 73rd minute, when Yuya Osako jumped highest and scored, giving The Samurai Blue the lead and eventually the victory.
Even though Senegal and Poland were considered rather even sides, the odds were slightly in Poland’s favour. That notion disappeared after about 15 minutes, when it became obvious the Africans were better. Aliou Cisse was the man of the match. He set his team up perfectly to exploit its strengths, cutting off Poland’s midfield in the process. Milik and Lewandowski are excellent strikers, but they can do nothing without the ball. Milik barely sniffed it before departing in the 73rd minute. Despite winning the tactical battle, Cisse’s team got lucky with the win. A billiards type of deflection and a moment of confusion gave them two goals and three points at the start of the tournament.
It was somewhat surprising to see Balde Keita and Cheikhou Kouyate on the bench when the lineups were announced, but it all worked out fine. I still think that both of them should be members of the starting eleven. Japan will be thrilled with the opening win. With a manager that had coached them for a total of three friendlies, their expectations must have been very low. The Japanese can enter the remaining two contests relaxed, knowing that they already have overachieved. That won’t change reality, though. The Senegalese are physically imposing, while the Japanese are not. That’s a natural advantage that can be hard to overcome.
Odds
Japan 3.60
Draw 3.30
Senegal 2.25
