Brazil World Cup 2014 Schedule: Group C Fixtures, Japan Vs. Columbia 1-4:
Japan
- 01 Kawashima
- 02 Uchida
- 05 Nagatomo
- 17 Hasebe
- 22 Yoshida
- 15 Konno Booked
- 09 Okazaki (Kakitani - 69' )
- 14 Aoyama (Yamaguchi - 62' )
- 13 Okubo
- 04 Honda
- 10 Kagawa (Kiyotake - 85' )
Substitutes
- 03 Sakai
- 06 Morishige
- 07 Endo
- 08 Kiyotake
- 11 Kakitani
- 12 Nishikawa
- 16 Yamaguchi
- 18 Osako
- 19 Inoha
- 20 Saito
- 21 Sakai
- 23 Gonda
Colombia
- 01 Ospina (Mondragón - 85' )
- 04 Arias
- 07 Armero
- 15 Mejía
- 23 Valdés
- 16 Balanta
- 11 Cuadrado (Carbonero - 45' )
- 13 Guarín Booked
- 19 Ramos
- 20 Quintero (Rodríguez - 45' )
- 21 Martinez
Columbia was in top form for its Group C match against Japan churing out a shutdown of Japan's chances for Group 2 placement with a whopping 4-1 win. That leaves the Columbians with a 100% win record in Group D fixtures.
Juan Cuadrado was the first to score for Columbia with a penalty and just ahead of half time, Japan scored the equalizer with Shinki Okazaki. At that point, it seemed anything was possible in the second half and Japan was looking like it was in good shape, despite lack of World Cup experience.
However, a couple of goals from Jackson Martinez and shot from James Rodriguez, a sub, finished off the Japanese offense. Columbians are now set to play Uruguay in an South American draw Saturday. Hopeully, there won't be any biting on the pitch! So far there's been no word from FIFA officials about the Louis Suarez biting incident of an Italian defender.
BBC football pundit Robbie Savage noted, "James Rodriguez has been so impressive for Colombia. They have done exceptionally well. Injured striker Radamel Falcao has been missing but everyone has stepped up to the plate"
Japan was looking for a win, the only option if it was to advance to the next stage of play. With a third goal by Brazil intact, Columbia brouhgt on the 43-year old goalie, the oldest player at the 2014 World Cup; he overtook Cameroon's Roger Milla's previous record.
