It is another big day in the FIFA World Cup on Sunday and the action gets underway in Group E where the two lower ranked sides battle it out when Japan look to make it through to the knockout stages when they take on Costa Rica.
Japan famously got the better of Germany in their opening match so another win here will see them safely into the knockout stage. Costa Rica could barely have had a worse start to their tournament and need a massive improvement if they are going to stay alive.
Where to watch
The Sunday opener will be shown live and in full on the ITV 1 channel in the UK with the full build-up getting underway at 9am and then the kick off coming at 10am.
Japan
It was seen as a surprise that Japan shocked Germany in their opening game but when you consider that a fair bunch of their squad ply their trade in Germany then it wasn’t exactly a seismic shock. Where it was more of a surprise was that Japan won from a position where Germany had complete control of the game. It should also be said that if Germany had their shooting boots on then Japan wouldn’t have come close to making a comeback.
That was of no concern to the Japanese though and the one thing you would say is when they went on the counterattack they did it in numbers and with real quality. The question here though is whether they will be offered up the chance to soak up pressure and play on the counter against a side who often utilise a low block which they rarely come out of. If they can’t then Japan will need to show they can play in spells of possession and break a team open.
Costa Rica
I guess you could say that Costa Rica tried to play a low block with a couple of deep banks but in truth they were so poor in their opening game that it wouldn’t have mattered what tactical plan they went in with they were going to get beat. If there was a positive to come out of that defeat to Spain and the margin of it, it was that there is no uncertainty of what they need from their final two matches. There isn’t really a realistic scenario where four points is going to be enough with such a poor goal difference.
Only two wins are going to keep Costa Rica in this tournament and while you would imagine they will be a threat from set plays against a small side, they have got to show a whole lot more ambition from open play and most definitely a lot more quality if they are going to get back in the tournament. Beating Germany isn’t going to be easy but if they can find a way to do that it won’t matter if they don’t win this game.
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Team News
Japan looked a much more solid and resilient side when Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu came onto the pitch and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t start this game. Takuma Asano scored from the bench in the first game and might have done enough to force his way in.
It was a surprise that Costa Rica left Kendall Waston out of their opening starting XI, not just because he is a physical defender but he is also a threat at the other end on set plays. He came on during the game and may well start this one.
Betting
I’m not Costa Rican but I’ve seen the team I support lose 7-0 twice in the last few years but on both occasions they have followed them up with much stronger, prouder and energetic performances and that is what I expect from Costa Rica here. I might have this completely wrong and if I am I’ll hold my hands up but I can see value in them winning this one at 15/2. I’m prepared to take them on the nose because if I am wrong then Japan will just win this going away.
I thought Japan might beat Germany which is why I backed Germany not to qualify from this group but even the most passionate Japanese person would admit there was more than an element of luck to that victory. Germany ran up an xG total of 3.81 which highlights just how open Japan were defensively. There is absolutely no point in Costa Rica sitting back here. The only way they get through from here is to win two matches but at the same time I don’t think they’ll go all guns blazing and allow Japan to counter them. I still think Costa Rica will make Japan break them down but when they have the ball I think they’ll be a lot more positive with it. This Japan defence doesn’t take a lot of breaking down and fuelled with the hurt and humiliation of that opening game and a point to prove we might see that Costa Rica are a lot better than they showed and that Japan aren’t as good when they have to force the pace.
Tips
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