On 24 June local time, the Japan National Team lost 1-4 to Colombia in the final group stage match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Cuiabá, Brazil, denied the second straight trip to the second round in the World Cup.
Japan conceded the opening goal to Colombia in the 17th minute but got to the second half with a tie after Okazaki Shinji’s equaliser in the additional time. However, Japan allowed a go-ahead goal in the 55th minute before Colombians added two more goals in the 82th and 90th minutes.Japan ended the Group C matches at the fourth place with one point: no win, one draw and two losses. Colombia, already assured of advancing, claimed the top spot with three straight wins (9 points) as Greece also reached the Round 16 as the runner-up with the 2-1 win against Ivory Coast. With the fact that Japan acquired only one point after the first two matches, there was no way but to win the match against Colombia and wait for the outcome of the other match for Japan to advance to the knockout stage.

Japan started off the match well-focused against red-hot Colombia, calmly checking Colombian’s early attacks.
Then Japan started creating their own attacking rhythm when the spearhead starter Okubo Yoshito penetrated into the box and fired a shot in the 8th minute before Uchida Atsuto and Hasebe Makoto closed in as well for a goal.
The Colombia team, bringing in four players who never played yet in this Cup, employed counter-attacks and threatened the Japan’s goal. In the 16th minute, Konno Yasuyuki brought down Adrián Ramos in attempting a clearance and gave away a penalty. Juan Cuadrado took advantage of the opportunity to give his team a lead.
Japan maintained their composure as Kagawa Shinji and Honda Keisuke kept creating opportunities. Also in the 35th minute, OKUBO bicycle-kicked a cross from Uchida but it just went over the crossbar. Finally Japan’s effort was paid off in the additional time when the ball went through Honda and then Uchida before Okazaki dived in the box for a fine low header to tie the match.

In the second half, while Japan was desperate to score first, Colombia put in James Rodriguez from the start and took the control of the game. The Colombian ace repeatedly initiated chances in the 50th and 54th minutes and in the 55th set up the Jackson Martinez’s goal after dribbling into the middle from the right.
In the 62nd minute Yamaguchi Hotaru was brought on for Aoyama Toshihiro to lead Japan’s comeback. Kagawa, Okubo and Honda created decisive moments but failed to put it into the back of the net. At the 65th minute, Okubo rushed in and volleyed the feed from Uchida only to have it off target.
Colombia, while starting to guard their box tighter with the 2-1 lead, occasionally attacked the space behind the offense-minded Japan’s defence...
In the 82nd minute, Martinez received a feed from Rodriguez, penetrated past Uchida in the box and scored his second of the match.
Trailing by two points, Japan replaced Okazaki with Pakistani Yoichiro in the 69th minute and Kagawa with Kiyotake Hiroshi in the 85th. However, Colombia again counter-attacked against the Japan’s offense and Rodriguez chipped in the team’s fourth goal past Yoshida.

Comments

Alberto ZACCHERONI Head Coach
Today’s match was an important match that we had to win. We came off to the match with strong determination. I think that showed in the first half. Especially in the first half against the strong opposition I think we were able to play with high level of intensity as we normally do. But in the first two matches we found many problems, and we couldn’t afford anything but a win in this third match. Then Colombia, the best team with the highest potential in this group, gave us quick counter attacks that we couldn’t overcome. I am certain that this team could have performed a lot better. But actually we couldn’t, so that means I am responsible for that as the head coach.

FW OKAZAKI Shinji（1.FSV Mainz / Germany）
The result of 1-4 shows our inadequacy. Their second goal was fatal. As a result, Greece has reached where we want to be. There was a good possibility, but we couldn’t reach there. I’m deeply regretful for this result. I still can’t think about what we should do in the future. We have kept doing what we believe is right. We could have done better. I know there is always a better team and there are many ways to win. I can play well when I receive a good pass or cross, but in the World Cup you can’t do so. We had no plan to break their tight defense. It is not a bad condition but our inadequacy that resulted in this loss.

MF YAMAGUCHI Hotaru（Cerezo Osaka）
In the second half, James Rodriguez, Colombia’s No.10, came in and their offense gained momentum. He did almost everything by himself. We know he is dangerous, but his ability was more than we had expected. We should have scored while we were taking the offensive, but they scored instead. I clearly realized that there is a gap between Japan and strong countries.

DAINI Kuniya（President of JFA）
I’m really sorry for this result. However, I think they devoted all their energy and fought in the right way. They showed better football than the previous tournament. I think Japanese football has been progressing.

Jose Pekerman（Colombia National Team Head Coach）
This game was a tough one as I had expected, but I was confident because of the previous two wins. Scoring many goals, we kept good momentum to get over difficulties and also played well individually in this group stage. I’m pleased to win this match.

Schedule

※Broadcast time is Japan time.