Page 19 - aruba-today-20180620

A19
SPORTS Wednesday 20 June 2018

Early penalty helps Japan beat

Colombia 2-1 at World Cup

By BRETT MARTEL team to pull off an upset and show the power of our
AP Sports Writer at the World Cup, joining team."
SARANSK, Russia (AP) — Mexico, Switzerland and DREAM SEQUENCE
Japan did what no other Iceland in earning unex- Osako was instrumental in
Asian team had ever done pected results. The win was both goals and sprawled
at a World Cup — beat a a surprise also because to block a close-range shot
South American squad on Japan changed coaches by Colombia midfielder
the biggest stage in soccer. shortly before the tourna- James Rodriguez in the
The 2-1 victory over Colom- ment, and because Asian waning minutes.
bia on Tuesday was an- teams had failed to beat "To score a goal for me
other surprising result in an South American opposition in World Cup has been a
unpredictable tournament. in 17 previous World Cup dream," Osako said. "This
A costly mistake by Colom- meetings. is World Cup, it's a huge
bia midfielder Carlos San- "Normally you prepare a stage, and I think we start-
chez in the opening min- match to play 11 players ed off very well."
utes led to a red card and against 11 and to lose one The win provided joy to a
a penalty, helping Japan player in the first three min- country recovering from a
take an early lead. Com- utes — to lose such a crucial deadly earthquake in Osa-
ing in the third minute, it player — that's not an easy ka a day earlier. Japanese
was the second fastest red thing," Colombia coach princess Takamado attend-
card in World Cup history Jose Pekerman said. "In the ed the match.
and the first of this year's second half, Japan adapt- REMATCH REVERSAL
tournament. ed its style and managed Colombia defeated Japan
Yuya Osako won a bounc- to score by playing better 4-1 when the teams met Teammates crowd over Japan’s Shinji Kagawa after he scored
from the penalty spot his side’s first goal against Colombia
ing ball to begin a se- and taking advantage of in group play in Brazil four during a group H match at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the
quence that led to the red their opportunities." years ago, and the Japa- Mordavia Arena in Saransk, Russia, Tuesday, June 19, 2018.
card and the penalty. San- Sanchez did not speak to nese also began the game Associated Press
chez blocked Shinji Kaga- reporters after the match. without Shinji Okazaki, a
wa's shot with his extended Japan will next face Sene- Leicester forward who has out experienced mid- start, Falcao walked across
right arm and was ejected. gal on Sunday in Yekaterin- been trying to overcome a fielder Juan Cuadrado to Japan's side of the field
Kagawa then converted burg, while Colombia takes sore calf. earlier than anticipated in and spoke to referee Damir
from the spot. on Poland in Kazan on the But it was apparent within response to Sanchez's red Skomina in a discussion that
Colombia, which played same day. minutes, when Sanchez card. lasted beyond the official
with 10 men for the rest of "If we had actually won the got the red card, that the BIZARRE BEGINNING countdown to kickoff.
the match, scored late in World Cup, we would have rematch would not go so World Cup games are Moments later, Skomina
the first half on Juan Quin- had a parade on the main smoothly for the Colombi- known for starting on time, ordered both teams to
tero's rolling but accurate street of Saransk," Japan ans. but not this one. change sides, after which
free kick, which sneaked in- coach Akira Nishino said. Okazaki did get in the When the game was due to the match began.q
side the right post. Osako's "However, it is just one win, game, but not until the 85th
gritty determination led to three points. minute.
a 73rd-minute header from "We'll save our celebra- PERSONEL SHUFFLE
Keisuke Honda's corner tions." Colombia started without
kick that gave Japan three Colombia captain Ra- Rodriguez, the leading
points in Group H. damel Falcao, who made scorer at the 2014 World
"He played well in Ger- his World Cup debut after a Cup in Brazil. The Bayern
many this season," Honda knee injury sidelined him in Munich midfielder has an
said of the Werder Bremen 2014, said his team will ap- injured left calf and was on
forward. "He also couldn't proach its remaining group the bench at the start.
score last World Cup and I games like "two finals." He came on in the 59th min-
knew he really wanted to "We only depend on what ute, but his best chances
score this game. I'm happy we do from now on," Fal- were thwarted by Japan's
he scored." cao said. "We need to be desperate defending.
Japan became the latest strong, have character Pekerman also subbed