FIFA World Cup: Colombia hammers Japan to reach last 16

CUIABA: Colombia striker Jackson Martinez scored twice as they thrashed Japan 4-1 to maintain their 100 percent record and claim top spot in Group C on Tuesday to set up a second round clash with Uruguay.

Colombia, who are in the last 16 for the first time since 1990, went ahead through an early Juan Cuadrado penalty before Martinez struck twice in the second half and substitute James Rodriguez wrapped up the win with a delightful fourth goal.

Japan equalised just before halftime with Shinji Okazaki’s fine diving header but fell apart near the end of the match.

“It was a difficult first half, we had lots of opportunities to score but found that their strong defence did a lot of damage,” said Martinez.

“In the second half, we were a lot better and were able to show the kind of play we had in previous games.

“I am really happy,” with the two goals.”

Greece beat the Ivory Coast 2-1 in the other game in the section to set up a last 16 clash with Costa Rica while Japan finished bottom of the group with one point.

EARLY PENALTY

Colombia took the lead after 17 minutes when Martinez was brought down by centre back Yasuyuki Konno as he raced into the box on the left at the Pantanal arena.

Cuadrado, one of only three players retained by coach Jose Pekerman in a team with eight changes from the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast that secured Colombia’s second-round berth, scored to his right with Eiji Kawashima diving the other way.

Japan got a brilliant and well deserved equaliser on the stroke of halftime after enjoying 59 percent of possession in the first half and constantly probing Colombia’s reserve central defensive pairing of Carlos Valdes and Eder Alvarez Balanta.

Keisuke Honda sent a low, left footed cross in from the right corner of the box and Okazaki got in front of Valdes to steer a diving header past goalkeeper David Ospina just inside the near post.

With Colombia’s main marksman Radamel Falcao missing the tournament through injury and Teofilo Gutierrez rested, Martinez underlined Colombia’s depth of striking talent when he put them ahead again 10 minutes into the second half.

Right back Santiago Arias cut inside and passed to substitute midfielder James Rodriguez who laid the ball off to his left from where Martinez shot home across the diving Kawashima.

Martinez got his second eight minutes from time on the counter-attack as Japan threw bodies forward looking for an equaliser.

James Rodriguez then scored with a clever run and chip over the keeper to complete the rout with his third goal of the tournament in the dying minutes.

Asked about facing Uruguay, Martinez said: “It’s going to be a really tough game, a fight, and we just have to maintain our focus and continue to work like we have.” (Reuters)