Belgium 3-2 Japan: Three things Japan got wrong

#2 Failing to set the right markers for aerially strong players like Fellaini

Japan seemed unprepared to deal with Fellaini's presence

With Japan going two goals up against all the odds, it was always likely that Roberto Martinez was going to introduce his trump card in Marouane Fellaini to be the target man in the event of set-pieces. Manchester United, in particular, Jose Mourinho, utilize him to that capacity and it was going to be no different in Belgian colours.

Japan’s failure to be prepared for such an event was appalling, as Fellaini posed a threat as soon as he came on, winning each header in the air and playing knockdowns for his teammates to take an attack forward. The Asian side paid the ultimate price within minutes of his introduction, as a weakly cleared Belgian corner was back in possession of Eden Hazard, who took a split second to identify Fellaini’s position before delivering an inch-perfect cross. The big, burly figure had no qualms in jumping in between 2 Japanese markers to power a header past the Japanese goalkeeper to wipe out the deficit.

If anything, it was down to Japan’s poor decision making as to who should mark Fellaini in the event of set-pieces. Maya Yoshida, who plays for Southampton in the Premier League, could be held guilty to a large extent for not organizing his markers to quell Fellaini’s threat in the box. That error proved to be fatal to Japan’s chances of progressing to what would have been their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal.