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Colombia post their third group win to put Japan through the exit door Colombia post their third group win to put Japan through the exit door
(about 2 hours later)
On a night of contrasting emotions in Cuiabá, Colombia marched into the second round as group winners with a third victory in 11 days – as many as they had managed in their previous four World Cup appearances – and condemned Japan to an early exit that represents a huge disappointment for Asia, Alberto Zaccheroni and his players. On a night of contrasting emotions in Cuiabá, Colombia marched into the second round as group winners with a third victory in 11 days – as many as they had managed in their previous four World Cup appearances – and condemned Japan to a humiliating early exit that represents a major disappointment for Asia, Alberto Zaccheroni and his players.
Having arrived at the World Cup with hopes of reaching the quarter-finals – progress from the group stage was almost taken for granted – Japan have departed with only two goals and one point to show for their efforts. The fact that their elimination was confirmed at the hands of what was effectively Colombia’s reserves rubbed salt into the wound. Having arrived in Brazil with hopes of reaching the quarter-finals – progress from the group stage was almost taken for granted – Japan have departed with only two goals and one point to show for their efforts. The fact that their elimination was confirmed at the hands of effectively Colombia’s reserves, and in such emphatic fashion, rubbed salt into the wound.
Two goals from Jackson Martínez, the prolific Porto striker, after Juan Guillermo Cuadrado’s early penalty kick, secured top spot and a meeting with Uruguay at the Maracanã on Saturday. The biggest cheer of the evening, however, was reserved for Faryd Mondragón, Colombia’s 43-year-old second-choice goalkeeper, who became the oldest player to feature in a World Cup match when he was brought on with five minutes remaining. For Colombia, the serious business is about to start. They face Uruguay in the Maracanã on Saturday in another mouth-watering all-South American tie and, on this evidence, José Pékerman’s side will take some stopping. Pékerman made eight changes to his line-up and Colombia still had far too much class for a toothless Japan side. It was some statement.
It was left to James Rodríguez to complete a glorious night for Colombia with a wonderful chip in the 89th minute for his third goal in as many games. Colombia, on this evidence, will take some stopping. The star of the show, though, was a man who is guaranteed to start against Uruguay and is fast emerging as one of the most talented players at this World Cup. James Rodríguez came off the bench at half-time, set up two goals for Jackson Martínez, who was starting for the first time in Brazil, and scored a sublime late fourth, deliciously dinking the ball over Eiji Kawashima.
José Pékerman never likes to think too far ahead but this fixture was an exception to the rule. With Colombia already assured of their place in the last 16, the Colombia manager saw no reason to put out a full-strength team and risk injuries. He made eight changes from the side that beat Ivory Coast, with only the goalkeeper, David Ospina, the West Ham United left-back, Pablo Amero, and the Fiorentina winger, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, retaining their place. It was still, however, a strong Colombia team that featured Martínez, the leading scorer in Portugal last season, and Adrián Ramos, who has joined Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. Those two were always likely to cause Japan problems and so it proved when they combined in the lead up to the opening goal. Moments earlier Colombia had created a little history when Pékerman brought Faryd Mondragón on with five minutes remaining. Mondragón, Colombia’s second-choice keeper, turned 43 on Saturday and became the oldest player ever to feature in a World Cup, breaking Roger Milla’s record. There is hope for us all.
Martínez picked up the ball just inside the Japan half and released Ramos in the inside left channel. Ramos was running away from goal at the time and offered no immediate threat to the Japan goal, but Yasuyuki Konno could not resist having a nibble. His challenge was needless, and poorly timed, and left Pedro Proença, the Portuguese referee, with no option but to point to the spot. Cuadrado converted emphatically and we were treated to the latest choreographed Colombia goal celebration. Pékerman, in his typically understated way, was delighted with the outcome. The Colombia manager refused to say whether he expects Luis Suárez to be suspended on Saturday after his biting incident against Italy, but he talked up the threat that Uruguay will pose. “I know we’re going to face one of the biggest most important team in South America and the world. They have a rich history, many experienced players. We know they never give up, never relax. They’re a very coherent team.”
Japan were dominating possession – as was the case in their previous two games – but offering little in the way of penetration. Yoshito Okubo, twisting and turning on the edge of the area, saw his shot blocked and Keisuke Honda was unlucky with a whipped left-footed free-kick – the less said about his previous two set-piece efforts the better – that skipped past Ospina’s far upright. Pékerman also went on to describe Colombia as “difficult opponents”, which feels like a huge understatement. Los Cafeteros are an absolute pleasure to watch and, it can only be imagined, a nightmare to play against. They are content to sit deep and let the opposition have the ball, lulling them into a false sense of security before breaking with alacrity.
Colombia, as ever, were happy to sit deep and break with alacrity. They should have doubled their lead three minutes before the interval but Martínez, after Santiago Arias and Ramos combined neatly on the right, dragged wide from 10 yards with the goal yawning invitingly in front of him. It was a bad miss and became more significant moments later. Honda, on whom so much depends for Japan, cut back onto his left foot and swung in a cross towards the near post. The ball was slightly behind Shinji Okazaki but he did well to get in front of his marker, Carlos Valdés, and steer a twisting header inside the near post. Juan Cuadrado got them up and running here with a penalty, after Yasuyuki Konno had brought down Adrián Ramos. Japan were enjoying more possession but there was a lack of penetration to their play and they were fortunate not to concede a second when Martínez failed to convert Ramos’s cut-back. It was a bad miss and was punished three minutes later when Shinji Okazaki’s twisting header, from Keisuke Honda’s cross, beat David Ospina.
That was the last action of the first half and ought to have given Japan a huge lift, but it was Colombia who struck again. Rodríguez, on for Juan Fernando Quintero, had delivered a delicious free-kick moments earlier that somehow eluded a line of Colombian players. His next contribution was more gratefully accepted. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area from Santiago Arias, Rodríguez could easily have shot but instead showed superb awareness to flick the ball with the outside of his boot into the path of Martínez. This time the striker made no mistake. Colombia, however, were soon back in front. Rodríguez, on for Juan Fernando Quintero, showed superb awareness to flick the ball with the outside of his boot into the path of Martínez, who drilled home. The same two players combined for Colombia’s third goal, when an exquisite reverse pass from Rodríguez released Martínez. Showing impressive composure, Martínez curled the ball into the far corner of the net. Rodríguez then applied the coup de grace, turning Maya Yoshida one way and then the other before delightfully lifting the ball over Kawashima
Japan pressed for a second equaliser but the game was up for them when Martínez coolly curled into the far corner after a sublime reverse pass from Rodríguez. The Monaco playmaker then delivered the coup de grace when he dinked the ball over Eiji Kawashima. By that point Japan’s fate had long been sealed, leaving Zaccheroni to reflect on a miserable tournament and the possibility that his four-year reign will soon end. “I know this team could have done a lot more. We fell short and as the coach I take responsibility,” the Japan manager said. “Now we will go back to Japan and after that I’ll speak with the management and let you know whether or not I will stay.”