Japan (1-1-0, 4 points) vs. Poland (0-0-2, 0 points)
Group H, Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
One measly little point is all Japan needs to secure its spot in the next round against either Belgium or England, but its players are thinking bigger. Much bigger.
“I don’t think we can enter the match looking for a draw and to get the results we want,” captain Makoto Hasebe said. “Although we earned four points in two matches, we haven’t accomplished anything yet.”
Both Senegal and Japan, which has failed to score in four of its last five World Cup games against European opponents, would advance out of Group H with a win or draw Thursday.