Colombia V Japan World Cup 2018

Colombia V Japan

(Synopsis in red)

Pregame bets:

James Rodriguez made his name in the last World Cup and this time I expect him to shine again. Why not, he is pure class when he gets going. And he has a lethal strike, so yeah he might do a Ronaldo and get a goal from a free kick, he has the ability to do so. Either way, I’d fancy him to at least score a goal.

€2.00 Single
Colombia v Japan – To Score a Direct Free Kick J Rodriguez 12/1

€10.00 Single
Colombia v Japan – Anytime Goalscorer James Rodriguez 21/10

Japan, on the other hand, are not a great team but what they lack in ability they make up in determination and heart and I am sure they will not stop for the 90 minutes. With this in mind I can see them scoring a goal. And if that is the case then it has to be K Honda, their start player to score (who else?). And I have a strong vision of a penalty too, as they did get a penalty in the last world cup (as far as I can remember!)

€10.00 Single
Colombia v Japan – Japan to score a penalty 14/1 (crazy bet but i have a strong feeling about this one)

€5.00 Single
Colombia v Japan – Anytime Goalscorer Keisuke Honda 4/1

Full betting review here>https://www.thisdrinkinglife.com/top-bets-of-the-world-cup-2018/

GET IN!!!!!!!!!!! FUCKING KNEW IT! 150 squid after about 3 minutes!!! easy, easy, easy

Beers: Group H of Beer World Cup:

World Cup of Beer Group H

Club Colombia versus Asahi Super Dry, a battle that could go either way really, depends on the day!

Both were fairly nondescript beers, nothing really to excite too much, but I will give the victory to Club Colombia as it had slightly more of a taste, that is it had a taste, as opposed to nothing from Asahi.

PreGame:

A more detailed review on Colombia here and on Japan here

Colombia impressed in the last World Cup, or more importantly James Rodríguez did. He was a bit of a revelation four years ago and scored some very impressive goals ending up as the tournament’s top scorer. A big move to real Madrid materialized, but he couldn’t recreate the same magic with the Spanish club and so was loaned out to Bayern therein after, where he has rediscovered some of his old form. Perhaps playing on the centre stage again will revive his career and Colombia can once again shine at the World Cup. I certainly hope so as when he is playing well he is a delight to watch.

To be fair its not only about Rodríguez, they also have a good squad too. David Ospina is decent enough in goals, Juan Cuadrado is a real work horse in midfield, and Radamel Falcao up front is the type of striker that defenders hate to play against, in your face, strong, and has the ability to smash them in from all angles, albeit he can be lazy enough in games too. But he missed the last World Cup through injury so I am sure he will want to get going this time round.

Luckily for them, they got by far the most open group of them all. Paired with Poland, Japan and Senegal, the top two places are up for grabs and could conceivable go to any of the four teams. Playing Japan first is a great advantage for Colombia who can hit the ground running with three points before they play Poland next.

Back again for their 5th World Cup on the bounce, Japan disappointed greatly in the last World Cup, when in a relatively doable group with Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia they came bottom scoring just two goals, one of which was a penalty. And with some pretty dire form in the recent friendlies, and losing to Saudi Arabia and UAE at home in the qualifiers, things dont look so great for this World Cup either.

With the bad form in mind the Japanese FA in their perceived wisdom decided to sack their manager Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, just two months before the games. Akira Nishino is the guy now in charge and I wish him luck but that’s a crazy decision by the Japanese football association.

Keisuke Honda is the main man with the team, a World Class player that gets Japan motoring but I think its time that the other players stepped up a little and gave the 30 year old some help. He can’t do it all on his own.

I think that Colombia will have far too much for Japan and would expect them to overrun the Asian country, particularly in the middle of the park. I can’t see how Japan will stop Rodríguez and co, and it might not be pretty today for them, but one thing is guaranteed what they lack in technical ability they make up in determination, Japan will fight to the end no doubt about it, just that it might not be enough in the end.

Well that was a turnaround for the books. I knew Japan would score goals, but I never guessed they would come out as victors. Excellent win, and fully deserved as they totally had Colombia in their pockets all through the second half. Well done Japan.

Was surprised to see Honda not starting then I see Rodríguez is also not playing. What kind of crazy shenanigans is this from the managers!

A fast break at the start rattled Colombia and ended up with C Sánchez touching the ball in the box with his hands. That’s a big no no and so he was sent off and gave away the penalty, a peno that Kagawa dispatched with no bother. Great start from Japan.

It took Colombia along time to get back into the game after that shock to the system. And they did. It resulted in an open ended game with both teams running at each other, hell for leather. A great contest to see. The Japanese defence holding up very well though.

Cuadrado was surprisingly taking off by José Pékerman after half an hour, which was kind of strange but I did say in my preview he he a donut of a manager, so what gives. They could have done with him in the second half as Colombia had no pace by then.

Colombia did come back from a free kick. It was never a free kick but well done to Quintero for fooling everyone and kicking it under the wall. Very clever goal. Also funny to see the Japanese goalkeeper protest, was the sun in his eyes or what?!

In the second half Japan came out all guns ablazing and pretty much that’s what the whole second half was all about. Relentless attack after attack from Japan, intricate shot passing to get behind the Colombian defence there pressure played dividends when in 73rd minute, Osako, who had a fine game, scored with a power header, from a lovely out swinging cross by Honda (who eventually came on!).

Japan held on to record a famous win, and totally unexpected result, and another shock in this years World Cup. Japan now know probably one more point might be enough to get them through, while Colombia know that a loss to Poland and they are out early. Also must be noted that Falcao went missing in action for the second half, what a terrible performance from a so called big game player!

Music to get you in the mood

DIVA GASH – Starmaster (Colombia) V きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ – PONPONPON , Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – PONPONPON (Japan)