Colombia set for big win over Japan
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Colombia kickoff their World Cup campaign as Group H favourites. The Colombians are packed with talent and boast the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez.
Colombia are more than just Rodriguez, however. Striker Radamel Falcao is coming off of another strong club season. Four years ago in Brazil, Falcao wasn't 100 percent fit. This time he will be healthy and it will make Colombia even more dangerous in front of goal.
Colombia manager Jose Pekerman oversaw the team's quarterfinal run at the last World Cup. Topping the group will give the Colombians a good chance of repeating their previous feat.
While Colombia are the favourite to win the group, the four teams that make up Group H are a hodgepodge of sides. It can't be denied that Colombia will have two much more difficult matches against Poland and Senegal. Japan's form has been dreadful in recent months and the national team has been in chaos.
Japan have been in tatters this year. The national team dismissed manager Vahid Halilhodzic in April after yet another disagreement. He was replaced by former Japanese international Akira Nishino. The team's results under Halilhodzic were decent and the Japanese topped their qualifying group. Nishino hasn't done as well as Japan lost two of three World Cup warm-up friendlies.
Nishino does have quality in the team, but it lacks what Colombia possess. Japan have former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa ready to pull the strings in midfield. He will be paired with defensive midfielder and captain Makato Hasebe. While the midfield should be strong for Japan, the striker corps is unproven. Shinji Okazaki is a hardworking player but his finishing can be an issue. He does have 50 international goals in 113 games.
Colombia are expected to play a 4-2-3-1 formation. Falcao will play as the No. 9 while Rodriguez will be the No. 10 playing behind him. Most interestingly, Pekerman is set to play Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez in the centre of defence. It will be a pairing of two very young centre-backs. Mina is just 23 and Sanchez is 22. It may turn out to be a bold decision from the manager.
Just 10 of the 23 players called up for Colombia featured at the 2014 World Cup. Although the squad has some different names, the quality may be greater than it was four years ago. Colombia will kickstart their tournament with a big win over Japan and set themselves on the path to the quarterfinals.
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