VOLGOGRAD, June 28, 2018 (News Wires) - Japan dramatically reached the knockout stages of the World Cup on Thursday afternoon by virtue of having less yellow cards than Senegal despite losing to Poland. They finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored to Senegal in second place, but Japan had four yellow cards to Senegal's six in the group stage, sending them through with Colombia The already eliminated Poles won in Volgograd thanks to a second-half volley from Southampton defender Jan Bednarek. Japan manager Akira Nishino can breathe a huge sigh of relief after controversially resting six players for the match having gone into it top of the group. At that stage, Japan were heading home, though another of the twists which have marked this last round of matches - Colombia's goal against Senegal - put them back ahead of the Africans once more. With the sides equal on goal difference and goals scored, Japan advance by virtue of having received four yellow cards to Senegal's six. They incurred only one yellow on Thursday - Tomoaki Makino the offender. Once it was clear the Japanese were through, the game descended into a pitiful spectacle of both sides knocking the ball around between themselves, to monumental jeers from both sets of fans. It was desperate fare from Poland, who owed their fans something after a grim few weeks. But it was deeply unintelligent from Japan, who would have disappeared out of the competition if the Senegalese had scored again. All told, it was a massive escape from embarrassment for Nishino. The Japan coach had said before the match that 'we do not think Poland are invincible; we do not think Poland are indestructible', yet his team selection was still extraordinary by any standards. He rested no fewer than six players for a game in which qualification remained in the balance. Four were his goalscorers in the tournament and his outstanding player, Takashi Inui also sat it out. It was some gamble he took. Meanwhile, Colombia endured anxious moments but a towering header by centre-half Yerry Mina clinched top spot in Group H. Mina struck 14 minutes from time, his second goal in as many games, to secure a place in the last 16 for the South Americans who will be dangerous opponents for either England or Belgium. More than 20,000 Colombians inside the Samara Arena rejoiced but it was a moment of despair Senegal as they lost their place. The Africans finished the group stage locked together on points and goals with Japan and were eliminated on the basis of their disciplinary record. Still their supporters danced and swayed in the stands. Until Mina's goal, the noise and the colour of the crowd had been required to make up for a tense and disjointed affair on the pitch. There was lots of rolling around. Lots of treatment required. Lots of pleading with the referee to do whatever he wasn't doing. Lots of eyes and ears were trained on how Japan were getting on. The early exchanges were dominated by a referral to the video assistant referee after 17 minutes, after a tackle by Davinson Sanchez on Sadio Mane was ruled a foul and then overturned. It was indisputable was that Mane was in on goal and preparing to shoot when the challenge came.
