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2018 FIFA World Cup Group H Match 2 Recap

By Alex Zatarain
AFP JEWEL SAMAD

2018 FIFA World Cup Group H had two very differing match-ups. Japan and Senegal played in a hard fought, back and forth, battle. Poland, who have been underwhelming in this tournament, stood no chance against Colombia.

Japan  v Senegal 

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Japan and Senegal met for their second group stage match after winning their first. Either team could lock up a spot in the knockout rounds with a victory.

First Half

Senegal got off to a great start, attacking Japan’s final third. It wasn’t long before they drew first blood.

Youssouf Sabaly put a shot on goal after a cross was failed to be cleared. Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima tried to punch the ball out but ended up rebounding it off Sadio Mane to give Senegal to 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

M’Baye Niang nearly made it 2-0 in the 14th minute after a right-footed shot on the right side of the box was saved.

Senegal had multiple opportunities afterwards but could not find a way to extend their lead. They would regret it shortly after as Japan was able to equalize.

Yuto Magamoto received a ball on the right side of the box. He dribbled back towards the center of the box, where he exchanged possession with Takashi Inui. Inui then dribble once to the right and then cut back in to put a shot. The ball was sent low and bending back in towards the right post, just out of the reach of Khadim N’Diaye.

Both Senegal’s Niang and Japan’s Genki Haraguchi had opportunities to give their sides leads before halftime, but failed to convert.

Second Half

Both teams exchanged opportunities in the first eight minutes of the half, signaling what would be a close 45 minutes.

Youssouf Sabaly took a through ball by Mane in the box and put a cross right in front of goal. The ball was missed by one of his missed for a clean chance but filtered through and put in the back of the net by Moussa Wague.

This wouldn’t spell the end of the scoring, however, as Japan would equalize yet again.

Yuya Osako put a cross towards the left post that was punched by Senegal’s keeper. The ball was chased down by Inui, who saved it from going out on the back line. He sent a cross back through and Keisuke Honda, who had been subbed in earlier in the match, put a left-footed shot into the back of the net.

With the result, both teams now have four points and tied atop the Group H table.

Poland  v Colombia 

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Poland and Colombia came into the match gasping for breathe. With a loss, either team would end up at the bottom of Group H and out of the World Cup.

First Half

Both teams struggled to put together scoring opportunities in the first 35 minutes. With possession even, the power struggle was apparent.

However, one could see the physical domination Colombia had over Poland. The referee allowed the physicality, although there were points deeming it excessive.

Colombia broke through off of a set-piece play, which has been a common theme throughout the tournament.

James Rodriguez found himself with the ball on the right side of the box. With no clean shot opportunity, he lobbed the ball towards the middle, finding Yerry Mina for the header for the lead in the 40th minute.

Second Half

The latter half of the match displayed similar aspect of the first. Colombia with their physical domination, were able to stave off any potential attack from Poland.

Poland’s first big opportunity of the game came courtesy of Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, who sent a left footed shot down the middle of the box. David Ospina was there for the save in the 58th minute.

The game was essentially put away in the 70th minute. Juan Quintero put a through ball to Radamel Falcao, who found himself one-on-one with Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny. Falcao kept his composure to put the ball past the keeper and give Colombia a 2-0 lead.

At this point, Poland looked defeated and could not put anything together.

The final dagger was when Rodriguez took the ball on the left flank, near midfield. He sent a bending ball forward and towards the middle of the pitch, where it was taken by a sprinting Juan Cuadrado. He, too, found the back of the net and finalized the game’s scoring.

With the loss, Poland are now out of the World Cup. Colombia have found new life and would move onto the knockout rounds with a victory over Senegal.

Japan and Senegal are on top of the Group H table with four points, followed by Colombia with three and Poland with none. The next match-ups will be Japan and Poland, and Senegal and Colombia.

Victories for Japan or Senegal would see them through to the knockout rounds. A draw or a victory would see Colombia through, while Senegal would be out of the World Cup with a loss. As mentioned earlier, Poland are out regardless of outcome.

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