Colombia Side Step Past Japs to Top Group

World Cup ·

Columbia steamrolled into the knockouts with a 100% win record after they powered through Japan in Cuiabá.

BY MATT LYNCH

JAPAN 1 – 4 COLOMBIA

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Japan 1 – 4 Colombia

Juan Cuadrado (17′ penalty), Shinji Okazaki (45+1′), Jackson Martinez (55′ and 82′), James Rodriguez (90′)

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Kick-off: 9pm BST (UK time)

Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá

Group C, World Cup Game #40

With Colombia making eight changes it was expected to be a fairly equal game but that was far off the make with Colombia throughout looking more dangerous.

After 15 minutes of toying with the Japanese defence, Ramos was sent sprawling by the defender to win a penalty, that was cooly put away by one of Colombia’s big stars so far Cuadradro. 

The Japanese rarely threatened up until 25 minutes when the recalled Manchester United man Kagawa forced a good save out of Ospina. Soon after they threatened again when Honda saw his sweetly struck free kick over the bar.

With the pressure building on Colombia and the half time whistle looming Honda sent in a delightful ball to the middle of the area where Okazaki put his head to the ball and placed it beyond Ospina.

Out for the second half and Colombia looked reinforced. With Jackson Martinez on he soon struck. Beating the defenceless Japan goalkeeper with a low shot from a astute Rodriguez pass. Rodriguez continued to pull the strings for the puppet you could say, as on 83 minutes he carved open a weak Japanese defence allowing Martinez to get his second and Colombia’s third. 

With the game dead and buried The Colombia manager made a magical moment in the World Cup history bringing on 43 year old substitute keeper Faryd Mondragon to become the oldest goalkeeper at a World Cup. Finally on the 89th minute James Rodriguez the main tormentor added Colombia’s fourth with a finely worked goal.

Match breakdown

Man of the Match: James Rodriguez, the main tormentor
Flop of the Match: Shinji Kagawa, should have stepped up more than he did
Possession: Japan 56% – 44% Colombia
Shots: Japan 23 – 13 Colombia

Colombia will join Greece in the Round of 16.

With yet another superb performance, can we start to ask if Colombia can go all the way?

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facebook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

Complete Coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup »

TSMBrazil.com

 – We live for this.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

10-Man Greece Close Doors on Japan to Seal Point

World Cup ·

Greece held on against a Japanese rally to apprehend a point from Greece after their captain Kostas Kastouranis was sent off in the first half.

BY NISAR KHAN

JAPAN 0 – 0 GREECE

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Japan 0 – 0 Greece

Thursday 19 June 2014
11pm BST (UK time) 

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group C, World Cup Game #23

After a substantial wait, both teams looked raring to go and register some points on the Group C tally. Japan got the first shot of the game after a minute, with a vulnerability exposed down the left although the shot was blocked.

A subdued resistance from the Greeks, who showed some signs of promise on the counter but were overhauled by Japan.

In the 37th minute, Greece captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was dismissed for a second booking, meaning Greece”s chances in the game were severely jeopardised in the absence of his catalytic presence. He became the first Greek man to be sent off in a World Cup.

However, the 2004 European Champions responded well, with shots stinging the hands of Japan keeper Kawashima just moments later.

As the first half culminated, we were starched of the upbeat action over the first 45 besides the talking point of Greek’s captain being sent off. Mitroglou’s also went off due to an injury, leaving Greece shorthanded. They did, though, finish the first half on a strong point, enough to evade the long chances from Japan that went to waste.

Japan had an array of dispersed chances, including Yoshida creeping onto the end of a ball across, but blasting way over the bar.

The Japanese players were the ones slowing down now. The game was drained of any tempo and was a tedious situation.

TSMiNPUT – Considering this was around midnight in the UK at times I found it a dramatised version of counting sheep. While it may be a harsh analogy, that, combined with my fatigue makes it an interesting variable. I was expecting the Greeks to get completely turned over after the dismissal of their captain, but one thing admired for sure is their resilience to challenge. As for Japan, they were as sleepy as me at times, taking an eternity to recover from injuries. Playing for the draw, not what I like to see. Group C is pretty much sorted after this, neither side was prepared to make that leap. If you’re tired then here’s how you can wake up, go to read the other articles on TSMBrazil.com, that will catapult you back into World Cup fever.

Japan continued to try and thwart Greece late on, but the Europeans were having none of it.

Greece’s hard work could have easily gone amiss, but it was the Japan’s lack of urgency and spark which overshadowed. Greece were against the odds but still got something from the match.

Keisuke Honda’s curling free-kick to the bottom right was pushed away by Karzenis but the Greek keeper looked to be in some pain following a collision when collecting a ball from a cross.

Four minutes of stoppage time were allocated, Japan were searching but Greece were locking up.

The final whistle would blow and a point was fair for each.

Down to 10 men, Greece lock up to get the point, but they have a lot of ground to cover in Group C.

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facebook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

TheSportMatrix.com

 – Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

Ivory Coast Turn the Tables Within Minutes to Thwart Japan

World Cup ·

Wilfried Bony and Gervinho both scored within two minutes as Ivory Coast assembled a remarkable second-half turnaround to top Japan.

BY NISAR KHAN

IVORY COAST 2 – 1 JAPAN

“The Drogba Effect” came into action two minutes after he entered the game THE GUARDIAN

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Ivory Coast 2 – 1 Japan

Keisuke Honda (16′), Wilfried Bony (64′), Gervinho (66′)

Saturday 14 June 2014

Kick-off: 2am (Sun. morning UK time)

Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Group C, World Cup Game #8

Ivory Coast kept Japan on their toes to start the game, prompting a corner off Kalou’s shot just three minutes in. Despite the Africans firing on all cylinders in a bid to grasp the game early, they would be taken off course by a bullet strike from Keisuke Honda.

Nagatoma played through Honda with a simple pass, before he adjusted himself and blasted it to the top corner leaving the keeper Barry a spectator as the shot blazed into goal. All of a sudden, Ivory Coast had been broken open.

Yaya Toure’s free-kick attempt fizzled over, and the Africans got into the box at times, but they would finish the first phase of play trailing.

Ivory Coast had many more chances than their Asian counterparts but simply were not productive enough in the final third to convert a goal.

Just two minutes into the second half, Wilfried Bony squandered a golden chance to head home the equaliser. After Kalou’s shot was parried following some great build-up play, the Swansea breakthrough failed to head it or direct it towards goal.

Japan would also have chances in close proximity, but were too hesitant in front of goal and missed the mark.

Didier Drogba, whose reactions to Japan’s goal were clear for all to see, was introduced just after the hour mark and had a clear impact on the game. Suddenly, players seemed revitalized and amped up with his presence. Drogba’s first run on the ball saw him explode down the left and offload it to Gervinho, but he couldn’t convert.

Toulose full-back Serge Aurier would deliver two goal-assisting crosses within 100 seconds of each other to swing the game completely. 

First, Willfried Bony glanced his head onto the diagonal cross to send it past Japan keeper Kawashima. The Ivory Coast supporters, already loud enough with some instruments livening up the game, were euphoric.

That would only further increase when Gervinho got his head onto Aurier’s cross less thasn two minutes after. The cross crept in towards the far post and Gervinho ensured that Ivory Coast would take the lead.

From then on in, Ivory Coast had plenty more time on the attack but couldn’t add another. As rain poured heavily and the final whistle neared, Japan looked a threat on the counter, although their threats were cut down.

By stoppage time, Japan had attacked but left vulnerabilities to a reckoning force on the counter.

Over that time, the game would draw out and Ivory Coast would reach a huge victory.

Match Breakdown

Man of the Match: Serge Aurier
Flop of the Match: Boubacar Barry
Possession: Ivory Coast 60%, Japan 40%
Shots: Ivory Coast 15, Japan 6

The Drogba Effect
Drogba’s presence just empowered the team. On he comes and four minutes later Ivory Coast are leading in the game.

Japan’s Gas Tank Runs Low
Japan had an excellent first half. With that being said, they ran low late in the second, as Ivory Coast looked fierce and spacious on the break.

Personal Verdict: “Top quality game. All opened up after the one hour mark. It’s great to see Ivory Coast doing well and for Drogba to have such a good impact. Cote d’Ivoire have a good shot at getting through.”

Ivory Coast have set their sights on progression but a clash with Colombia beckons.

Two minutes shape the game, it’s a thrilling encounter as Ivory Coast prevail.

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facbook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

TheSportMatrix.com

 – Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

Confederations Cup 2013: Group Stage Week One round-up

The Confederations Cup 2013 kicked off with Brazil taking on Japan on Saturday. Below, we review the first week of the tournament.

Brazil 3 : 0 Japan



A spectacular third minute goal by Barcelona new-boy Neymar set the tone for Brazil to romp to an easy victory over a Japan side featuring Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda. Dani Alves crossed for Paulinho and Jo was sent clear by Oscar to add the finishing touches.

With less than a year to go until Brazil hosts the World Cup finals, this is a tournament that will act as a dress rehearsal for the South Americans – on and off the pitch with protests taking place in Brazil recently.

Japan had a few chances of their own with Honda and substitute Ryoichi Maeda but the result was never in doubt for the hosts. 

 
Italy 2 : 1 Mexico



Andrea Pirlo’s 100th cap was marked with the perfect start to the Confederations Cup in the Azurri’s first win over Mexico in 20 years. 

Pirlo himself got on the scoresheet after he smashed in a typical free-kick in the 27th minute. Javier Hernandez equalized for the Mexicans with a penalty seven minutes later but, unlike Hernandez, it was Mario Balotelli who took the headlines as he coolly fired in the winner in the 78th minute and was subsequently booked for removing his shirt in the celebration.

Uruguay 1 : 2 Spain



World and European champions Spain kicked off their Confederations Cup tournament with a masterclass win over Uruguay which was much more one sided than the scoreline suggests.

Cesc Fabregas struck the post before a deflected Pedro shot bobbled in after 20 minutes. Fabregas then set up Roberto Soldado to slot home with a magical pass before Liverpool striker Luis Suarez floated in a wonderful free-kick as a consolation for the fans in Recife.

Spain largely dominated the match with 92% possession after nine minutes gone and Suarez’s goal at the end was the only piece of quality that the Copa America 2011 winners showed.

Tahiti 1 : 6 Nigeria




Nigeria may have outclassed Tahiti on the field, but the South Pacific islanders were celebrating a historic goal scored by defender John Tehau.

Nigeria sprinted into a 3-0 lead with less than half an hour gone, Tahiti captain Nicolas Vallar scoring an own goal and Nnamdi Oduamadi grabbed a couple. The result was no doubt settled before a ball was even kicked as Tahiti, ranked 138th, made their Confederations Cup debut marked with a goal. John Tehau nodded in from a corner and it sparked wild celebrations in Tahiti and in the stadium for the fans. Oduamadi grabbed his third before Tehau scored at the other end and Echiejile added the sixth.