Blue Samurai desperate to revive fighting spirit against Colombia
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni is anxious for his side to unlock scoring potential against Latin American rivals
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni must urgently find a way to unlock Japan's attacking potential against already-qualified Colombia today, but is relying on events elsewhere if his side are to reach the World Cup last 16.
Japan came to Brazil with their hopes high after finishing ahead of Australia in their Asian qualifying group, aiming to better their impressive last-16 showing in South Africa.
But little has gone right for the Blue Samurai since they started brightly against Ivory Coast, taking an early lead through Keisuke Honda only to concede twice.
It's as though the players have been playing with the brakes on. The problem is probably mental
Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa was relegated to the bench for the next game against Greece and, although he came on in the second half, the match ended in a drab 0-0 draw.
After the stalemate against 10-man Greece, a frustrated Honda was damning about the team's lack of creative spark.
"We lack ideas," Japan's bleach-blond talisman said. "We tried to attack, but we just can't put the ball in the back of the net."
It means the side's destiny is out of their hands ahead of their match in the heat of Cuiaba.
