Southampton: Yoshida and Japan gain vital World Cup point

Southampton defender Maya Yoshida played the full 90 minutes again as Japan gained a vital point in their second World Cup group-stage match against Senegal.

The match was an entertaining affair and saw a mix of good attacking play and poor defending as it finished 2-2 at the final whistle, and Southampton man Yoshida would be an important defensive presence for his team.

He contributed with seven clearances, one blocked shot and five aerial duels won. Building from the back, he also made one key pass and completed 77.6% of his passes throughout the game.

Senegal went ahead through a fortuitous goal from former Saints forward Sadio Mane after 11 minutes, but Japan would be level at half-time after Takashi Inui’s strike.

Moussa Wague would put the Senegalese in front again in the 71st minute but Keisuke Honda’s goal shortly after meant a share of the spoils.

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YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA – JUNE 24: Maya Yoshida of Japan is challenged by Salif Sane of Senegal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

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The result sees both Japan and Senegal sit on four points in Group H and occupy the top two places, with Colombia and Poland losing their opening games.

It means that there is a strong chance of both sides progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament, and Yoshida and his teammates will be keeping an eye on this evening’s match.

Poland and Colombia play each other and a draw would see the Japanese team’s position strengthened further still.

Fellow Saints player Jan Bednarek is involved in this clash and starts in defence as Poland look to kick-start their campaign.

A potentially crucial clash between the two Saints players comes on Thursday afternoon and the winners could be the ones to move further into the tournament’s latter stages.

Cedric and Dusan Tadic have both been involved for Portugal and Serbia respectively at the World Cup and both also have chances of progression.

Tadic provided an assist in Serbia’s match against Switzerland on Friday but they would ultimately lose the game 2-1.

Cedric is likely to play again as Portugal finalise their group-stage games tomorrow as they face Iran at 7pm.

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