MATCHDAY 6 – PREVIEW

Colombia look to ride Falcao, Rodriguez show against Japan

Saransk, June 18 (IANS): Colombia will look to 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez and top scorer Radamel Falcao for inspiration when they take on Japan in their Group H FIFA World Cup opener here on Tuesday.   Colombia have tougher outings against Poland and Senegal after the Japan game and the Andean nation will look to repeat their group stage 4-1 2014 World Cup triumph over the Blue Samurais.   "We're going to conquer Russia," Falcao posted on Instagram recently alongside a picture of the South Americans decked out in ties on their plane to Russia.   Colombia were at their best in Brazil four years ago, reaching the quarter-finals, their best result ever.   Since then, they have endured a downturn though, surviving a wretched World Cup qualifying campaign for Russia.   They scored just 21 goals during the gruelling two-year, 18-match South American qualifiers and limped over the line with three points from their last four games to claim fourth spot.   Coached by Argentine Jose Pekerman, Colombia will look to their attacking prowess and prove that their run in Brazil was not just a one-off.   Coming to Japan, the prospect of facing AS Monaco's Falcao and Rodriguez - on loan from Real Madrid at Bayern Munich -- should keep them on their toes.   Japan head coach Akira Nishino, a former international midfielder who took over in April, said last month that beating Colombia would be a "small miracle."   Japan have experienced players in their ranks in the form of Yuto Nagatomo, Shinji Okazaki and captain Makoto Hasebe.    

Russia eyeing knockout berth as Salah returns for Egypt

Saint Petersburg: Hosts Russia will be eyeing to seal their berth for the knockout stage when they face Egypt, who will be bolstered by the return of star forward Mohamed Salah, in their second Group A game here on Tuesday.   Russia will be high on confidence after hammering Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their opening game in Moscow on Thursday. Egypt on the other hand suffered a 0-1 loss to Uruguay in the absence of Salah on Friday.   However, Salah has been declared 100 per cent fit by Egypt’s team doctor which will be a major relief for the team management.   Russia currently top Group A charts on goal difference ahead of Uruguay while Egypt are placed third and another defeat for the North African nation will force them for an early exit from the mega event.   Egypt are strengthened by Salah’s return while Russia will be weakened by the absence of creative midfielder Alan Dzagoev, who suffered injury in the opening game.   Denis Cheryshev, who was Russia’s hero against Saudi Arabia after scoring twice, however feels even if Salah misses Tuesday’s game, their task will not be easy.   The left winger felt that Salah’s inclusion in Egypt’s playing XI will make the issue interesting.   With or without Salah, the hosts will have to fight hard to register another victory.   A win or a draw against Russia will keep Egypt’s hopes alive ahead of its final group game against Saudi Arabia on June 25.  

Senegal to face confident Poland

Moscow: Senegal will aim to repeat the heroics of their 2002 team when they start their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against a confident Poland in a Group H match at the Spartak Stadium here on Tuesday. While Senegal are making their comeback to the World Cup after their 2002 show till the quarter-finals, Poland are in Russia after failing to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 editions.   Both teams have a lot of pace in their attacks. While Bayern Munich star Lewandowski will again be the main man for Poland in the upcoming tie despite experiencing a disappointing season in the Champions League with Bayern Munich, their opponents will bank on Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane.   Mane scored 17 times while qualifying through Africa and 10 times in the Champions League. Lewandowski set a European qualification record with 16 goals in 10 matches to secure Poland’s place in Russia.   The main worry for Poland is that Lewandowski lacks support as the team lacks star players. But the team have Rafal Kurzawa, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Piotr Zielinski, who are capable of keeping Lewandowski supplied with little chances.   Mane, on the other hand, have plenty of match-winners around him like Moussa Sow, Diafra Sakho, M’Baye Niang, Mame Biram Diouf and Keita Balde. However, if these players misfire, Stoke City’s Mame Diouf or Ismaila Sarr can act as their covers.