Football

Day six of the World Cup brought to a close the first round of group stage matches, and the trend of upsets and controversy continued with Japan beating 10-man Columbia 2-1 and Senegal recorded the first win for an African team at this year’s tournament beating Poland 2-1. Columbia had a nightmare start against Japan conceding a penalty within the first minute of the game and to add insult to injury they had Sanchez sent off for a deliberate handball in the area.

Kagawa scored the penalty for Japan and with their tails up the Samurai Blue continued to put pressure on Columbia by creating some great goal scoring opportunities, but they were left to rue their missed chances as Columbia equalised just before half-time courtesy of a clever under-the-wall free kick from Quintero. The Samurai Blue made the most of their extra man advantage, they dominated the second half and their hard work paid dividends when Osako scored the winner from a corner midway through the second half and for all Columbia’s efforts to get back in to the match they couldn’t find a way past Japan’s resolute rear-guard.

Poland’s match against Senegal was an entertaining encounter with both teams willing to press the ball and play direct attacking football but it was Senegal who wanted it more and they broke the dead lock close to half-time courtesy of a big slice of luck. Senegal’s star-man Mane set up Gueye who had a wild attempt at goal that was going wide, until it deflected off Polish defender Cionek in to his own net for an own goal. Senegal’s good fortune continued in the second half courtesy of a controversial refereeing decision when he allowed Senegal’s Niang back on to the pitch from the halfway line after treatment but at the same time a Polish player kicked the ball back to his defence or keeper.

Niang noticed this before the last Polish defender who was looking back at his teammate, the midfielder who hoofed the ball back over his head, and he didn’t even see Niang until it was too late. Niang still had an advancing Polish keeper looming down on him but he dealt with that skilfully by nicking it past the keeper leaving him with an open net to slot the ball home for a well deserved 2-0 lead. Poland did pull one back through Krychowiak, but it was too little too late with only eight minutes remaining and their star player Lewondowski failed to shine on the big stage. Hopefully we will see the better side of him against Columbia on Sunday.

There are three more games today, one from Group A between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia at 4pm on BBC One and there are two matches from Group B, the first between Portugal and Morocco at 1pm on BBC One, and the other tonight at 7pm on ITV between Iran and Spain. Portugal will be in confident mood after a good start drawing 3-3 against Spain with star-man Ronaldo stealing the show with an amazing hattrick! Morocco were heartbroken by their injury time defeat against Iran in their opener and hopefully that experience will not have a knock on negative effect on any of their players today.

Prior to losing to Iran 1-0 Morocco were unbeaten in their last eighteen international matches which proves they are defensively well organised and difficult to beat. I expect Portugal will have to work hard to break Morocco down given their defensive record over the last twelve months and I don’t see this being a high scoring game as a result but with Ronaldo in red hot form and leading the attack i think Portugal can win comfortably, if not spectacularly. From a betting perspective I suggest backing the match double Portugal Win & Under 3.5 Match Goals (6/5).

The Uruguay against Saudi Arabia match should go they way of Uruguay as Saudi look like the worst team in the tournament so far and their defence could be in for another torrid time again today, especially if Suarez and Cavani are on top form. However, Uruguay’s best asset is there defence and with five clean sheets in their last five international matches I suggest backing them to Win to Nil (4/6).

The final game of the night is between Iran and Spain and with Iran leading Group B on the three points the pressure will be really on Spain to deliver, especially if Portugal beat Morocco in the earlier kick-off.

Selections:

World Cup

Portugal Win & Under 3.5 Match Goals (6/5)

Uruguay Win to Nil (4/6)

Double above two