JAPAN VS COLOMBIA

Japan vs. Colombia, 2014 World Cup preview: Last chance for Samurai Blue

Japan head into their final group game needing to beat table-topping Colombia to stand any chance of progressing.

                          Before the World Cup started, Group C was seen to contain two of the tournament's dark horses in Japan and Colombia. So far, only one team has lived up to the billing. While Colombia have played some of the best football we've seen en route to knockout stage progression, Japan have struggled, and are winless after their first two games.

Alberto Zaccheroni's four-year tenure of the Samurai Blue will almost certainly come to a close at the end of the World Cup, and barring a miracle in the final slate of Group C games, it looks like he'll be bowing out on a bad note. If they're to progress into the knockout stages, they need to beat table-topping Colombia. And, as if that's not a big enough task, they must also hope Ivory Coast's match against Greece goes their way

                                 

Team news

After Japan ceded the lead against Ivory Coast to lose 2-1 in their World Cup opener, coach Zaccheroni made a few changes to their starting lineup with little reward. For this match, Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa will likely return to his position on the left of their attacking midfield band ahead of Yoshito Ōkubo, who didn't impress in the goalless draw with Greece. Other than that, we're unlikely to see big changes.

However, Colombia boss José Pekerman will likely change a few things up, safe in the knowledge his side would progress even with a defeat. Faryd Mondragón is reportedly in contention to come in for David Ospina in goal, which would make him the all-time oldest player at a World Cup at 43 years old. Elsewhere, Santiago Ariascould come in for Pablo Armero at left-back, while Alexander Mejía looks likely to replace defensive midfielder Carlos Sánchez, who would be suspended if he picked up another booking. Finally, Jackson Martínez will hope to displace Teó Gutiérrez up top.

Projected lineups (left to right)

Japan (4-2-3-1): Eiji Kawashima; Yuto Nagatomo,Masato Morishige, Maya Yoshida, Atsuto Uchida;Makoto Hasebe, Yasuhito Endo; Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki; Yuya Osako.

Colombia (4-2-3-1): David Ospina; Santiago Arias, Mario Yepes, Cristián Zapata, Juan Zúñiga; Alexander Mejía,Abel Aguilar; Víctor Ibarbo, James Rodríguez, Juan Cuadrado; Jackson Martínez.