Japan vs Poland
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe has urged his side to go for the win against Poland and move into the last 16 of the World Cup in style. The Samurai Blue are somewhat surprise leaders of a balanced Group H after two matches, having followed up a 2-1 win over Colombia with a 2-2 draw against Senegal.
A point against Poland, which will be heading home after the group phase, will guarantee Japan's spot in the next round, where it will face either Belgium or England.
However, Hasebe is eager to claim all three against Adam Nawalka's side and build some momentum for the rest of their campaign.
Senegal vs Colombia
David Ospina has urged Colombia not to let its impressive victory over Poland go to waste as it seeks another three points against Senegal and qualification from Group H. The 2014 quarterfinalist got its Russia 2018 campaign off to a torrid start, Carlos Sanchez's third-minute red card against Japan setting the tone for an opening 2-1 defeat.
It bounced back in style against Poland, however, cruising to a 3-0 win in Kazan on Sunday to eliminate its opponents and keep its own hopes alive.
Colombia sits third in the group, a point adrift of Japan and Senegal, which defeated Poland 2-1 in its first game before an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Blue Samurai last time out. While a point will definitely be enough to see Senegal through to the last 16, Colombia is likely to need all three in Samara if Jose Pekerman's side is to avoid tumbling out of the tournament at the first hurdle.
Panama vs Tunisia
Tunisia may be out of contention at the World Cup but the African nation still has unfinished business as it tries to snap a 40-year drought against Panama. Back-to-back defeats to Belgium (5-2) and England (2-1) has consigned Tunisia to an early exit in Group G, alongside Thursday's opponent Panama.
Tunisia is winless in its last 13 World Cup matches, with four draws and nine losses, since winning its first ever World Cup match in 1978 against Mexico. Hamdi Nagguez has revealed Tunisia is determined to end its long-standing losing streak as it bows out of this year’s event in Saransk.
England vs Belgium
Gareth Southgate's in-form England team is keen not to surrender its winning momentum in the concluding Group G match against Belgium in Kaliningrad.
Both teams are assured of a place in the last-16 after recording impressive victories in each of their first two matches.
Wins over Tunisia and Panama leave the Three Lions and the Red Devils locked together on six points, with eight goals scored and two conceded apiece. It means a draw would result in its fair play records determining the group winner — England has one more booking on that score. If Belgium evens that up, lots will be drawn.
- Group H: Japan vs Poland, 1930 IST, Volgograd Arena, Volgograd.
- Group H: Senegal vs Colombia, 1930 IST, Samara Arena, Samara.
- Group G: Panama vs Tunisia, 2330 IST, Mordovia Arena, Saransk.
- Group G: England vs Belgium, 2330 IST, Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad.
Two matches — Senegal vs Colombia and England vs Belgium — will be shown live on SONY ESPN, TEN 3, and TEN 2. The rest of the matches will be broadcast on SONY SIX.
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