World Cup 2018: 3 things that went right for Japan against Colombia

#2 Pekerman not risking James Rodriguez

Rodriguez came off the bench just around the hour mark

Colombia's poster boy for the World Cup and the biggest breakthrough star from Brazil four years ago started the game on the bench after head coach Jose Pekerman believed that the Bayern midfielder lacked match fitness. Juan Quintero who started in his place staked a claim for a starting role in the next game with a stunning equalizer for his side but it is as clear as daylight that Rodriguez would have offered a whole lot more.

The dynamic midfielder who won the Golden Boot award in Brazil four years ago was introduced in the 60th minute for the Los Cafeteros but he was restricted from playing his natural game to cope up with the numerical disadvantage that eventually helped Japan clinch all three points, just about 13 minutes after his introduction.