England, Belgium to ring changes in final Group G game
Kaliningrad: Both England and Belgium, who have secured their positions in the FIFA World Cup pre-quarterfinals, are expected to make changes to their starting line-up when they meet for their final Group G match here on Thursday night. Both sides have already ensured progression to the next round, and both coaches have said they want to win the game despite the possibility of an easier quarterfinal tie for the side finishing second, reports Xinhua news agency. Level on points, goal difference and goals scored, England currently top Group G thanks to having been shown one fewer yellow card than Belgium in their games against Tunisia and Panama. But with no amnesty on yellow cards until the semi-finals, it's highly unlikely either side will go actively looking for them in order to help their cause for second place. Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku is an injury doubt after missing training on Monday and Tuesday after picking up a knock against Tunisia. Coach Roberto Martinez is likely to rest Lukaku even if he is fit to play, explaining that the Manchester United forward knows the team is more important than individual accolades such as the Golden Boot. Other key players such as defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen could also be rested, meaning they may miss the chance to go up against club teammate Harry Kane.Japan looking to maintain Asian presence
Volgodrad, June 27: Japan will be the only Asian side to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup if they take a point from Poland in the Volgograd Arena here on Thursday. If they succeed they will be the first Asian team to reach the second stage of the tournament since they did so in 2010 in South Africa, reports Xinhua news agency. Japan are the only Asian side to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup since they and South Korea did so when they hosted the tournament in 2002. Japan have impressed so far in Russia with a 2-1 win over Colombia and a 2-2 draw in an entertaining match against Senegal. The Japanese will be favourites against Poland, who have lost their two matches and have no chance of reaching the last 16. “Although we earned four points in two matches, we haven’t accomplished anything yet. The next match will be the deciding match. We must go into the game with the aim of getting all three points and (focussing) our performance,” Japan captain Makoto Hasebe said. Hasebe insists it would be dangerous for Japan to be over-confident against the Poles. “I don’t think we can go into the game looking for a draw,” he said, explaining that a win would help continue their momentum for a last-16 tie against Belgium or England. Japan have only played Poland twice in the last 22 years, beating them 5-0 in February 1996 and 2-0 in March 2002, but they will be wary of the fact they have failed to score in four of their last World Cup games against European opposition. The last time they scored against European opponents was in a 3-1 win over Denmark in 2010. Meanwhile, Poland winger Kamil Grosiki admits their time in Russia has been a struggle, but they must try and recover some pride in their final game after losing 2-1 to Senegal, before being totally outplayed by the Colombians. “We couldn’t even get the ball off Colombia, never mind counter against them. We’ve disappointed everyone, including ourselves. We came here with high hopes and huge dreams. Now we’re playing the last match just for honour,” Grosiki said.(IANS)
Senegal carry Africa's last hope
SAMARA: Senegal will carry the hopes of a continent into their final World Cup group game against Colombia on Thursday, but there is no added pressure in being Africa's sole last-16 prospect, according to defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Senegal need a point in their decisive Group H encounter in Samara to guarantee a spot in the tournament's knockout phase. Should they succeed it will be an achievement unmatched by any of Africa's other World Cup representatives after Egypt Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia all bowed out in the group stage. "It is something positive, rather than pressure," said Koulibaly, the highly-rated Napoli centre back, who marshals the Senegal defence. "We know the whole continent is supporting us, it is highly positive, we are football players and know we have Senegalese people behind us, we have to end with flying colours and do our utmost to get into the round of 16." After opening their World Cup campaign on a high with a 2-1 victory over Poland, Senegal were brought down to earth, having twice lost the lead to draw 2-2 with Japan, leaving the group in the balance ahead of the final round of fixtures. With football's history books filled with tales of teams who lost matches having only needed a draw to progress, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said his side would certainly not be playing for a point against Colombia. "We want to win, the instruction is to play to win," he told reporters on Wednesday. He is not expecting any surprises either from the Colombians, who need a victory to guarantee their own spot in the knockout stage. While Poland and Japan provided different challenges in their opening two games, Cisse believes Colombia are similar in many ways to his physically-imposing and technically gifted side. "The Colombia team that I have seen against Poland and also against Japan was very fit, physically speaking; in one-v-ones they are highly committed. I would say it's the same with the Senegalese players," he said. Senegal's Achilles heel in their opening two matches, however, was conceding late goals. Poland scored in the 86th minute against Senegal to get back in the contest having trailed 2-0, while Japan also found the net in the closing stages to snatch a point against the Africans. After those results there is a determination in the Senegalese camp not to lose focus at any point against Colombia, as well as confidence they will get the job done on Thursday. "Concentration is very important for us, then details will make the difference," Cisse said. "We will be very alert to set pieces, on game construction, on technical skills; we played them in 2014 (a 2-2 draw in a friendly) and we know their weaknesses and strong points. "We are (ahead of them by a point in the group) and have to be defeated by them. It is not easy to beat Senegal."Panama aim to write history in final game
SARANSK: Debutants Panama, although already eliminated from the World Cup, aim to "write a page in history" by beating fellow minnows Tunisia in the final Group G match in Saransk on Thursday. A victory would be Panama's first ever in a World Cup finals. But whatever the result, the young Panama squad have learnt lessons and are already setting their sights on the next tournament in Qatar in 2022, coach Hernan Dario Gomez told reporters on the eve of the match. Panama and Tunisia have both been at the wrong end of the biggest scoring games of Russia 2018, with Panama being thumped 6-1 by England and Tunisia going down 5-2 to Belgium. The Central Americans also lost 3-0 to Belgium, giving them the worst goals against record of the tournament. The two European teams play each other on Thursday with both having already qualified. But an upbeat Gomez made clear that "Los Canaleros" would still give it their all against their North African opponents in the first-ever match between the two countries. "We are still in the World Cup, we haven't packed our bags yet and for us anything positive is important. To win, or even to get a point would be important for us and the whole country. We will be writing a page in the history books," the Colombian said. "It's going to be tough, but not as tough as against the European teams. We are the underdog but we want to take at least one point back to Panama." Player Anibal Godoy echoed the sentiment. "The last two games are in the past but we still have our football identity, our style of playing. Our attitude is excellent. We are playing for a proud finish, we want to end on a high note, we want to do something positive for our country. We have what it takes to be in the fight," the midfielder said. "We still have a dream to win this match". Gomez, nicknamed El Bolillo (The Truncheon), has previous experience at the finals, having coached his native Colombia in 1998 and Ecuador in 2002. The Panamanians, however, had learnt a lot both on and off the pitch, not just in playing the matches but also in how things are handled logistically, both men stressed. "Our opponents taught us a lot and the lads learnt a lot. We've learnt how to be more organised. When you finish a game 6-1, that teaches you a lesson," Godoy said. "We hope we can come back to the next World Cup in Qatar stronger. On the world stage we are still newbies and finding out how the World Cup is organised. There are many things we take home with us and that will be good for our growth."(Reuters)
