Japan lost to Poland but qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2018 round of 16 by a better disciplinary record than Senegal.
Japan looked to be heading home after Jan Bednarek’s 60th-minute opener for Poland in Volgograd.
On an incredible final day in the group stage, Japan was almost set to get knocked out after Poland scored a goal. Jan Bednarek scored a goal at 60th minute of the match. Japan made six changes in their line up, and they almost had to pay the price.
Mina’s strike meant Japan and Senegal’s Group F records were identical. But the men in blue are through just because they had two yellows card less than Senegal. Fair play only introduced as a tiebreaker from this year’s World Cup and Senegal became the first victim.
Coach Nishino took a risk with his team selection ahead of the defeat to Poland. He rested four players to have scored for Japan at the tournament so far. Their star man Takashi Inui was also rested.
Akira Nishino’s side lacked their usual fluency, and Kawashami’s superb sprawling save from Kamil Grosicki was the highlight of a dour first half. Also thanks to the goal technology which confirmed that the header did not cross the line.
The second half then gave way to high drama. Bednarek’s volley 30 minutes from time Put Japan out as things stood. Lewandowski then skied the ball over from inside the area as Nishino’ side stood on the brink of elimination.
And yet, incredibly, they escaped. Mina’s strike for Colombia on 74 minutes in the other match sent the group decider to fair play, with both final games ending 1-0.
That worked in Japan’s favor despite their loss to Poland. Nishino breathed a sigh of relief after a nail-biting end to Group F. Colombia, meanwhile, ended the day as group winners.
FT: Poland 1-0 Japan
Bednarek 59′