Poland, a lot of people’s favourites to win the group, are the only team out. A point does Japan and Senegal while a draw would only do Colombia if Japan lose.
A whole five minutes discussing the four teams before going over to Gareth Southgate followed by the tenth discussion about whether to make changes for the Belgium game. Yawn.
Two quiet first halves, which seems to be developing into a bit of a pattern. All we had was a Colombia free-kick, James Rodriguez going off injured, a Senegal penalty given then cancelled after review and the ball saved right on the line by the Japanese ‘keeper. This prompted Mark Lawrenson to ask “Do they not check that?” Oh my God, does he retain any information in that head? We have had goalline technology for years.
Then we must talk about England again, and the fact they don’t concede goals. That would be apart from the two against the minnows in the group that is.
Poland scored just before the hour, which worried Japan, but Colombia then scored which put Senegal in third on the FairPlay count. Japan played out the last few minutes without making any effort to equalise, which wasn’t great to watch but at least they understood the rules unlike some. Lawrenson even claimed at one point that FIFA were confused. Eh?
So the Senegalese the first team to be eliminated on yellow cards. Lawrenson didn’t like this of course, but couldn’t come up with a better alternative. Drawing lots? FIFA ranking? Neither better in my view. Playoffs would be better but impractical.
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