drd23 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Belgium (Group G 1) vs Japan (Group H 2) @ 18:00 GMT (2pm EDT) The sixth game of the first round of the knockout phase sees an in-form Belgium that won all three games in the group phase face a Japanese team that finished their last game in arguably the most embarrassing fashion possible. Belgium: Tipped by many as a dark horse to win the World Cup prior to the tournament, Belgium lived up to that potential in group games against Tunisia and Panama, while playing some of the most exciting football and scoring the most goals in open play. Lead by second leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, they tore to shreds their less fancied opponents at times before Belgium sent out a second team against England in the final group game. If there is are any potential weaknesses in this team, they would be Coutois' inconsistent recent form, potentially disrupting the back three (Kompany is reportedly fit again and might play) and the questionable coaching of Roberto Martinez. Japan: Only having made it through to the next phase by virtue of having accrued less yellow cards than Senegal, Japan is not a well fancied team at this stage of the competition. They struggled to beat Colombia in their first game despite scoring from a penalty after 6 minutes and playing against 10 men for the rest of the game and drew against Senegal before losing to a decidedly poor Poland where neither team seemed interested in playing the final 10 minutes. Japan will most likely try to hit Belgium on the counter using the superb technical skill of players like Shinji Kagawa and the directness of Takashi Inui, who scored a great goal against Senegal and set up their other. Prediction: Despite the fact that Belgium has only won one of the last five games they've played against Japan (1W 2D 2L) I just don't see how Japan pulls this off. The round of 16 will be the final stop for the last Asian team in the tournament. Belgium 3-0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drd23 Posted July 1, 2018 Author Share Posted July 1, 2018 Players who would be suspended with their next yellow card: Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne, Thomas Meunier, Jan Vertonghen, Youri Tielemans, Leander DendonckerJapan: Eiji Kawashima, Takashi Inui, Makoto Hasebe, Tomoaki Makino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKTexans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Japan are awful. But then we thought the same of Russia. Still can't see how they can contain Belgium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 4 hours ago, texans_uk said: Japan are awful. But then we thought the same of Russia. Still can't see how they can contain Belgium. I cant see a way that Belgium dont score from a set piece. They should be utterly dominant in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKTexans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 7 minutes ago, LeeEvans said: I cant see a way that Belgium dont score from a set piece. They should be utterly dominant in the air. I certainly hope so. As much as I'm all for the little guys Japan rank 2nd on my list of bastardly tactics behind Panama. So go Belgium! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnygsm Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Should just be a matter of time. Japan are outclassed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 So no one is watching this match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Both teams have gotten in good positions but the finishing and important touches are just missing right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Belgium are abusing Japan at set pieces. They need to bring on Fellaini, he'd have a hat trick by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnygsm Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Erm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Japan has just gone up 1-0 on Belgium. What is happening with this WC? Japan isnt even good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gnat Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Wow, Japan, bad defending by Belgium, but Japan has looked decent and hasn't just been playing defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gnat Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 And the woodwork for Hazard, that was close. I hope this stays a good up and down affair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UniversalAuthor Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Japan is good, they are the faster team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 What the hell? I got up for one minute and its 2-0 Japan. What kind of world are we living in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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