Episode 234 - Japan 0-1 Poland

Job done, but only just! This episode was recorded right on the full time whistle of Japan's 1-0 loss to Poland in their final Group H game, with the Samurai Blue scraping through to the Round of 16 via the fair play standings, having accumulated fewer yellow cards than Senegal over the three games.

In Part 1, Scott McIntyre comes to us live from Volgograd Arena to give immediate reaction, and a thorough explanation of the raft of changes Akira Nishino made, with six of the starting XI who had begun the first two games rotated out due to the stifling conditions. Scott also praises Nishino for his stellar job in steering Japan out of such a challenging group, and again calls for a change in goal (to 11:20).

Then in Part 2 Stuart Smith and Sam Robson guest as we run through all of the major talking points from the game, including: Eiji Kawashima's stunning first half save; the poor goal that Japan conceeded; some concern at their lack of urgency after falling behind; and the strange way the last 7 or 8 minutes played out, with the game ceasing to be a contest at the death, with Poland content to sit on their lead and let the Japanese players pass the ball around amongst themselves - a strategy that obviously would have failed spectacularly had Senegal snatched a late equalizer against Colombia (to 46:30).

We finish the episode with a look at Japan's last 16 prospects, with Sam answering a question he submitted for the post-Senegal pod, and while we focused on the likelihood the Samurai Blue would face England, a potential match-up vs Belgium was also considered.

Follow my guests on twitter:

Scott - @mcintinhos

Stuart - @sushi_football

Sam - @FRSoccerSam