Goals: None
Recap: Ninety minutes of uninspired football saw the match between Japan and Greece finish scoreless.
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“Quality in the final third” wasn’t the name of the game in the first half. Both teams combined for four shots on goal in 11 attempts. A second yellow for Konstantinos Katsouranis in the 38th minute reduced Greece to 10 men. Japan was unable to take advantage, despite 74 percent possession of the ball.
The result automatically qualified Colombia for the Round of 16.
Key Moment: One yellow card wasn’t enough for Katsouranis. The Greek captain was cautioned in the 27th minute after a foul on Japan’s Yuya Osako. Just 11 minutes later, Katsouranis was given his marching orders. An unnecessary challenge on Makoto Hasebe—especially given his standing with the official—ended his evening. Greece was reduced to 10 men. Fortunately for him, Japan was unable to take advantage.
Man of the Match: The award should go to the Greek defense as a whole, but Sokratis finished with more clearances than any other player (nine).
Lesson Learned: Greece can defend, but you already knew that. Despite being down a man for 50 minutes, the team was able to keep Japan off the board. Ivory Coast still need a result to qualify for the Round of 16. Don’t expect Greece to make it easy. The opportunity to join Colombia is still there for the remaining participants in Group C.
Up Next: Japan travels to Cuiaba to meet with Colombia on June 24, while Greece visits Fortaleza to face Ivory Coast.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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