Colombia “Saves” Japan
Colombia has salvaged Japan’s standing by defeating Senegal 1-0 on Thursday (28/6/2018) at the Cosmos Arena in Samara, Russia. In the other match at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Japan lost 0-1 to Poland, but still advanced to the Round of 16 as the Group H runner-up.
Poland\'s Piotr Zielinski (right) runs with the ball as Japan\'s Gaku Shibasaki tries to stop him during the group H match between Japan and Poland at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia, Thursday, June 28, 2018.
SAMARA, THURSDAY – Colombia has salvaged Japan’s standing by defeating Senegal 1-0 on Thursday (28/6/2018) at the Cosmos Arena in Samara, Russia. In the other match at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Japan lost 0-1 to Poland, but still advanced to the Round of 16 as the Group H runner-up.
Japan fared better than Senegal in fair play points, gaining four yellow cards (-4) to Senegal’s six (-6) in three group matches. This was a determining factor, as both teams have collected four points, scored four goals and have a zero goal difference. Japan is the first team in World Cup history to advance to the Round of 16 on fair play points, with this year marking the first time the fair play point system is being applied to determine team positions in the Round of 16.