Match Previews

Japan held Senegal on Sunday. Need only a point to qualify. Okazaki has shaken off calf trouble. No fresh worries.

Japan took a step towards the last 16 of the World Cup on Sunday as they twice fought back from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Senegal. After starting the game nervously, Japan used the ball better after their first equaliser and were arguably the stronger of the two teams.

Takashi Inui was the star man at the weekend. Not only did he score, he also created Keisuke Honda’s second levelling goal, while he also hit the bar in the second half.

Japan struggled defensively against Senegal and for the second time in as many games goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was partly culpable on a goal they conceded. Nevertheless, Akira Nishino, the head coach, defended him after the game.

Concerns over the fitness of Shinji Okazaki were rife before the game against Senegal, but he was able to come off the bench and play the last few minutes, which is a positive sign, though he may not start against Poland.

Japan do not have any fresh injury issues registered prior to this encounter.

Nishino is liable to select a team along the same lines, although with Honda scoring after coming off the bench on Sunday, he will be pushing to feature from the beginning.

Japan’s record prior to the World Cup was poor. Indeed, they have as good a record in Russia as they had in their previous five matches, during which they lost three times, including against European sides Switzerland and Ukraine.