What a difference a game makes! Backed by a quartet of saves, some very dramatic, by 'keeper Chituru Odunze, this big tie may have given them life in the World Cup before 3,878 fans in Estadio Kleber Andrade. They now sit in 3rd as the top 4 #3 teams will advance to the Sweet 16, now, surprisingly ahead of the Netherlands, their next opponent. This single point was quite vital as a win over the last place Dutch would give them 4 points, in 21 such formatted FIFA tourneys, a team with that magic number has advanced 97% of the time. Despite many attempts in getting forward and no results, the heat was turned up on the backstop, and the 6'8" Odunze with his saves, a trio of which were late game stops was more than up to the task. Busio who had an early goal v Sengegal, all but struck again, this time at 8', but his header went just over the bar, shortly before the half, his free kick did the same. As the 2nd half commenced, Ricardo Pepi went on goal, buried a rebound but was whistled for offside. Pepi would come off for Gio Reyna at 55'. Reyna for his part, put a 30 yard free kick on goal, it too went over the bar. Japan then installed there most potent of offensive threats in Jun Nishikawa, he created problems but nothing for the scoreboard. His fellow forward, Yamato Wakatsuki, who put more shots on frame only to be thwarted each and everytime by the stunning work of Odunze. The 85' saw Reyna go at goal, making a full field run, letting loose a short distance shot which was turned away by Suzuki.
Next up is Estadio da Serrinha in Goiania to close out play in Group D with the Netherlands Saturday, Nov. 2 @ 7 p.n. ET on FS2 & Universo.
Kwik Kixx:
-There were 5 changes to the lineup by HC Raphael Wicky.
-Bello, Carrera & Odunz had their first games for the World Cup.
-Saldano now leads the team with 27 games in this cycle.