Japan Defeats Columbia with Help from Red Card Decision

Japan’s Yuya Osako celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Colombia

Japan was given not much of a chance to be victorious against Columbia, or even competitive in this year’s World Cup. However, Japan had a few surprises for the Columbians as they went on to defeat the favourites 2-1.

It was the error of Carlos Sanchez that gave the Japanese National Football team the chance at a penalty kick. Sanchez’s arm came in contact with the ball on a shot by Japan that was deflected as a result of the interference.

As Japan’s Shinji Kagawa got ready to take his shot, he appeared to be lining up a big shot but at the last minute sent a low shot to the right corner of the goal while David Ospina, the goaltender to the Columbians went right to give Japan a 1-0 lead.

Columbia responded with a free kick of their own to tie the match 1-1 after Juan Quintero sent the ball under the wall of defenders and slipped it into the right corner of the goal after a late reaction by Japan’s Eiji Kawashima.

With the match tied, a late corner kick by Japan saw Japan’s Yuya Osako sent a header past the outreached arms of Columbians goaltender to give Japan the upset no one was expecting, and a 2-1 lead late in the second half.

Japan celebrates after scoring and defeating Columbia in its World Cup match

Yesterday’s win was the first time an Asian country has succeeded in beating a South American nation in the World Cup. This year’s World Cup has seen repeated upsets for previous World Cup teams favoured to advance, and Columbia joins a growing list of ranked teams that lost against nations not expected to win.

With the large number of upsets this year, it is a prime opportunity for bettors to place bets for their favoured teams, and even consider those that are underdogs, for it this year’s World Cup has taught us anything, it is not to count out those less favoured. One of those with favourable odds for the 2018 World Cup is bet365, currently, those who are new to bet365 and register today will be able to receive up to $200 in bonuses on their first deposit, but also will qualify for other 2018 World Cup promotions that are currently being offered by this leading online sportsbook.

Yuya Osako was a big part of Japans success and its two goals. He also was instrumented in blocking a shot from Colombia’s James Rodriguez in the finals minutes of the second half.

The win was welcome news to Japan, who experienced another earthquake that left several dead the day before. Japan’s Princess Takamdo was in attendance of the match and smiled after Japan won the match.

The previous meeting between Japan and Columbia saw the Columbians beating Japan 4-1, this time, they were not so fortunate. Considering Japan started the match without Shinji Okazaki due to a sore calf muscle, his replacement, Yuya Osako proved to be the right decision by Japan’s coach, Akira Nishino.

Colombia was without James Rodriguez, a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the top scorer in the 2014 World Cup. He too was out with a sore calf and was unable to play in yesterday’s match. While he joined the match as the 60th minute mark approached, his contribution and near goal was stopped by Japan defenders.

Yesterday’s match had a rather strange start as prior to the beginning of the game that saw Columbia’s coach crossing the field to speak with referee Damir Skomina. That discussion went beyond the countdown to the match’s kickoff. The teams were then ordered to switch sides, and the match got underway. It is unknown why this decision was made.

Author Noah is our American writer who likes to give his own spin on everything Golf & the NHL he covers mainly the US side of the game as Doug covers the Canada. In his time off he can usually be taking to the greens or on the ice playing some hockey