Japan vs Poland
Venue: Volgograd Arena
Kick off: 3pm
Japan are targeting top spot in World Cup Group H as they finish their group campaign with a game against already-eliminated Poland this afternoon.
Japan are currently on four points and will advance to the round of 16 with a win or a draw.
They could also progress with a loss depending on how the other game between Colombia and Senegal finishes.
“Japan are not the kind of team that can aim for a point and go and carry that plan out,” said captain Makoto Hasebe.
“I think we have to focus on getting three points rather than make calculations. We have four points after two games but we haven’t accomplished anything yet.”
After a 2-2 draw on Sunday, Japan and Senegal share the lead in the group with four points and the same number of goals scored and conceded.
If Japan earn at least the point they need against Poland, it will only be the second time that they have gone through the group stage undefeated, the other being when co-hosting in 2002 with South Korea.
Colombia, who are on three points, could still top the group with a win over Senegal in Samara.
If Japan and Senegal were to finish in second spot and with the same goal difference and number of goals scored, then the team advancing could be determined by the number of yellow and red cards awarded.
If that can’t separate them, FIFA will draw lots to decide who goes through, with the winners and runners-up facing either Belgium or England from Group G.
Poland have nothing to play for except pride as they are bottom of the group after defeats to Senegal and Colombia.
“Many things did not go as they should today, during this World Cup,” said striker Robert Lewandowski after their 3-0 loss to Colombia.
“I was alone, we fought, I fought, I did everything I could, but fighting is not enough to win World Cup matches, you also have to have quality, and we had too little of that.”