Group C comes to a close in the World Cup on Tuesday in Brazil with Colombia and Japan, with the latter needing a lot of help in combination with a win to get through to the next stage. But they will have their hands full against Colombia, who has looked incredible so far and it is even more incredible that they have done it without their best player, who might not even be their best player anymore.
World Cup Odds: Colombia +125, Japan +215, Draw +255
Why Japan Can Win
Japan has a player in Keisuke Honda who is an inspirational figure and he has scored their only goal, which came in a 2-1 loss to the Ivory Coast in their opener. He was also very good in a goalless draw against Greece and he is doing his best to drag this team forward; no one else on the squad looks like they are capable of scoring a goal. If they’re going to do anything in this match, they need Honda to carry this team because it doesn’t seem like anyone else is going to step up.
Japan needs a win and for Greece to beat the Ivory Coast, and we’re not sure which is more unlikely. The Japanese have been a disappointment in this tournament, but they do still have a chance; they just have to take care of business on Tuesday.
Why Colombia Can Win
Colombia has been fantastic to watch so far at the World Cup, and James has been spectacular in lieu of the missing Falcao, who is out because of a knee injury. Many people rested the team’s hopes on Falcao and then discarded Colombia when it was revealed he wouldn’t play in Brazil, but James has been in sparkling form and at 22 years old, he could be the man to take the national side into the next generation as Falcao is 28. Colombia is young, they are playing like they don’t have anything to lose and they play an attractive style that could pull some of the neutral fans in their direction.
The defense could be the biggest surprise as all four of their starters, led by captain Mario Yepes at 38 years old, all play in Italy and show a continuity that many never thought they were capable of. It is uncertain how they’ll play in the next round when there is more at stake, but arguably no team has boosted its stock more in the World Cup than Colombia.
Outlook
This will be the third meeting between these two as Colombia beat Japan 1-0 in the group stage of the 2003 Confederations Cup, and then the two played to a 0-0 draw in a 2007 friendly match. This match will have goals in it as Japan has to throw everything at Colombia, who have the players to make them pay, and Colombia will wrap up first place in Group C with a victory.
Pick: Colombia
