Samurais’ relatively fewer yellow cards help reserve last-16 slot at Senegal’s cost despite loss
Amid a crescendo of boos and whistles as neither side tried to score, Japan advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup because of a newly implemented tiebreaker — fewer yellow cards.
The Japanese, barely playing for the final 15 minutes of the match, lost to Poland 1-0 on Thursday. But they still reached the round of 16 because Colombia beat Senegal 1-0 in the other Group H match.
Both Japan and Senegal finished the group phase with four points, had the same goal difference and the same amount of goals scored. Starting at this year's tournament, disciplinary records — known as fair play — were added by FIFA as a tiebreaker.
Japan had four yellow cards in their three group matches while Senegal had six. Both were even on points, goal difference, goals scored, and they tied in their head-to-head meeting. If FIFA had not added the fair play tiebreaker for this World Cup, a draw of lots would have determined which would advance.
It's the first time since 1982 that no African team has advanced from the first round at the World Cup.
Poland, which had already been eliminated, got their goal from defender Jan Bednarek in the 59th minute. He beat his marker at the far post and volleyed in a swerving free kick from Rafal Kurzawa.
When Bednarek scored, Japan were facing elimination. However, Colombia's goal in the 74th minute against Senegal meant Japan were in second place and would advance.
As the game continued, it barely got above walking pace, prompting many inside the Volgograd Arena to show their displeasure by whistling and booing. During injury time, Japan's players softly passed the ball among themselves, while their Polish opponents barely made an effort, content to finish the tournament with a victory after two losses.
Japan coach Akira Nishino made six changes to the starting lineup — all four of Japan's scorers in the previous two games were left on the bench.
Poland had an early chance to take the lead in the 32nd minute when Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima stopped a header from Kamil Grosicki. Scampering across his goal before diving, Kawashima clawed the ball to safety just before it had crossed the line.
Robert lewandowski then had a chance to put Poland ahead 2-0 — a result that would have allowed Senegal to advance — in the 74th minute after a swift counterattack but his effort flew over the bar.
GROUP DYNAMICS
Japan will next face the winner of Group G, either Belgium or England, on Monday in Rostov-on-Don. Colombia, which won the group with six points, will play the second place team in that group on Tuesday in Moscow.
How the tiebreaker works
Here's how FIFA decides who gets to keep playing when teams tie on points:
a) Best goal difference;
b) Most goals scored;
c) Points from head-to-head games between the teams involved;
d) If more than two teams are tied, best goal difference from matches between the teams involved;
e) Most goals scored in all matches between the teams concerned;
f) Fewest points deducted based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches, as follows: a 1-point deduction for a yellow card, a 3-point deduction for a red card issued as a result of a second yellow, a 4-point deduction for a straight red, and a 5-point deduction for a straight red issued after a yellow card.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has used the disciplinary points rule for several years, but FIFA just introduced in 2016. This is the first time it's been used in a World Cup.
g) Drawing of lots by FIFA.
The only time FIFA has ever drawn lots to break a tie in a World Cup group was in 1990 in Italy, when Ireland and the Netherlands tied for second place in their group. The Dutch wound up third, but both teams had already advanced under the 24-team format in place at the time.