Columbia thrashes Japan as they win 4 1 at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba Tuesday, eliminating the
Samurai Blue and moving on to the next round of the World Cup.
Japan, along with Ivory Coast, have been eliminated under Group C.
Colombia takes an early lead in the first half of the match as Juan Guillermo Cuadrado scored a
point through a penalty kick on the 17th minute mark.
However, Japan manages to equalize the game just before the end of the first half after Shinji
Okazaki attacks with a header through a cross by Keisuke Honda on the 45th minute mark.
Colombia successively scored all throughout the second half of the match, outscoring the
Japanese. Jackson Martinez nets another goal on the 55th minute mark with a leftfooted shot
thanks to an assisst by James Rodriguez.
Martinez lands another goal on the 82nd minute mark as he attacks with a leftfooted shot from a
fast break followed by James Rodriguez.
Columbia concludes the match with another goal as James Rodriguez nets a leftfooted shot from
a through ball by Adrian Ramos.
Jose Pekerman commends Rodriguez' play in the match at BBC Sports: "I think what James
Rodriguez has done today simply demonstrates what we expected from him.
He further adds: "From the beginning of this World Cup, he has shown that he is very well
physically, is fit and that we can expect a lot from him."
With Japan's elimination, Colombia moves on to the next round of the tournament as they face
Uruguay, who defeated Italy 1 0, at Estadio do Macarna in Rio De Janeiro on June 28, Saturday.
