Japan and Senegal came into their final games level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Were that still the case at full-time, fair play would decide which team finished highest. Senegal had five bookings in their first two games to Japan’s three.
When both sides fell 1-0 down – and having been shown one yellow card apiece – Japan were on course to qualify. But they knew a second goal by Poland, who were already eliminated, or two bookings or a red card could knock them out.
So, with about 10 minutes to go, they decided to stick rather than twist – gambling on Senegal not eliminating them by scoring an equaliser against Colombia.
In scenes reminiscent of West Germany’s infamous 1-0 win over Austria in 1982, Japan and Poland saw out the game at walking pace.
Despite having attacking players such as Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa on their bench, Japan brought on midfielder Makoto Hasebe, their captain, for forward Yoshinori Muto and sat deep.
They passed the ball around their defence and midfield when they had it, never crossing the halfway by more than a few yards. They let Poland – for whom this was a first win of the tournament – play in non-dangerous areas.
The crowd booed and whistled – just as they had 36 years ago when the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’ eliminated Algeria. Following that controversy, group stages were changed so the games finished at the same time.
After the game in Volgograd ended, Japan’s players, manager and fans had to wait for about a minute to get confirmation their gamble had paid off, Senegal had not scored and they were through to face Belgium.
What did they say?
Japan coach Akira Nishino said “it was a very tough decision”.
“We did not go for victory but we just relied on the other match,” he said. “That was slightly regrettable but I suppose at that point I didn’t have any other plans.
“I am really not happy about how we played but… we wanted to go through to the round of 16 and we have, and that is the only salvation that I get.”
Nishino said he passed on instructions when he sent on midfielder Hasebe – no risks and no yellow cards.
“What if we conceded another goal and it was 2-0?” he said. “We went through. Therefore perhaps it was the right decision.”
