Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Volgograd: Japan advanced to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 by the finest of margins as the Samurai Blue, who lost 1-0 to Poland, sealed second spot ahead of Senegal in Group H on the fair play criteria.
They will meet Belgium in the Round of 16 on July 2 after reaching the knockout stage for the third time in their history.
When Jan Bednarek scored his first international goal in the 60th minute for already eliminated Poland, the score between Colombia and Senegal stood at 0-0 meaning Japan were going out.
But once news filtered through of Yessy Mina's 74th minute goal for Colombia the match noticeably slowed down.
The strike meant Colombia would win the group and Japan were ahead of Senegal despite identical points, goal difference and goals scored, because they had received fewer yellow cards.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/tomoaki_makino_of_japan_attempts_an_overhead_kick.html
www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup/photo/album_-_fwc2018_group_h_japan_v_poland.html
#ALBUM - FWC2018 Group H: Japan v Poland