Japan takes on Costa Rice in this FIFA World Cup Group E clash at the Al Rayyan Stadium in Qatar. Japan made it to the round of 16 in the 2018 World Cup, losing to Belgium 3-2 after putting up a valiant effort. They will look to do one better this time, although the presence of Germany and Spain in the group will make it challenging. Costa Rica surprised the world in the 2010 FIFA World Cup by topping the group stage and being undefeated against the likes of football giants England, Uruguay and Italy. They will look to do the same this time as well.
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FIFA World Cup Official Broadcasters
Costa Rica
Televisora de Costa Rica S.A., also known as Teletica, have the official broadcasting rights over the country’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup. They will telecast all the matches live on their channel. Costa Ricans can follow their team through the World Cup live at Teletica.
Japan
The FIFA World Cup can be followed live in Japan via television networks Dentsu and Abema. Dentsu sold the rights to the global streaming network DAZN and will provide short highlights of the matches. Television network Abema will telecast all the FIFA World Cup games for free on their channel in the country.
FIFA World Cup Fixture table for both the teams
DATE | MATCH | STADIUM |
23rd November | Khalifa International Stadium | |
23rd November | Spain VS Costa Rica | Al Thumama Stadium |
27th November | Japan VS Costa Rica | Al Rayyan Stadium |
2nd December | Khalifa International Stadium | |
2nd December | Costa Rica VS Germany | Al Bayt Stadium |
Japan and Costa Rica will come up against each other after facing Germany and Spain, respectively, in matchday one. This means Japan and Costa Rica will meet a potential do-or-die match. Japan and Costa Rica have played each other twice before. Both the teams are currently in good form. Japan won both games by a considerable margin. However, no past battles will matter when they square up to each other on 27th November.
Things to watch out for
- Japan and Costa Rica are in great form going into the World Cup. Both teams have won three out of their last five matches. Japan is unbeaten, whereas Costa Rica has lost one game.
- Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas will be critical to their success in the World Cup. The current Paris Saint-Germain player was the hero of Costa Rica’s 2014 FIFA World Cup and will also be essential for them this time.
- Ex-Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino will be the player to watch out for from Japan. He has played 40 games in the premier league for Liverpool and Southampton. His experience will be significant for Japan at the biggest stage.
Table of FIFA World Cup squads
JAPAN
ROLE | PLAYERS |
Goalkeepers | Eiji Kawashima, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt. |
Defenders | Naomichi Ueda, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Shinnosuke Nakatani, Hiroki Sakai, Yuta Nakayama, Miki Yamane |
Midfielders | Wataru Endo, Gaku Shibasaki, Genki Haraguchi, Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo, Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito, Ao Tanaka, Ritsu Doan. |
Attackers | Daizen Maeda, Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano. |
Coach | Hajime Yoshida |
COSTA RICA
ROLE | PLAYERS |
Goalkeepers | Esteban Alvarado, Aaron Cruz, Keylor Navas. |
Defenders | Juan Pablo Vargas, Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Bryan Oviedo, Francisco Calvo, Kendall Waston, Carlos Martinez. |
Midfielders | Daniel Chacon, Celso Borges, Jewison Bennette, Bryan Ruiz, Gerson Torres, Orlando Galo, Aaron Suarez, Roan Wilson, Brandon Aguilera, Carlos Mora. |
Attackers | Anthony Contreras, Johan Venegas, Joel Campbell. |
Coach | Luis Fernando Suarez |
All teams must submit the final list of players by 13th November. This is a probable list of players who will feature at the World Cup this time. There may be changes to the squad due to injuries or other circumstances. A team of 23-26 players will be allowed by FIFA for the World Cup this time.