Both teams started the match very nervously, making numerous unforced errors, especially when playing long balls. Poland's manager was furious on the sideline as the mistakes piled up.The Japanese were closer to capitalise on those erratic beginnings, but in the 8th minute Aren Inoue hit the post after a mistake by Poland's defender Igor Orlikowski.
The Poles had their first good scoring opportunity less than 15 minutes later, but Karol Borys shot went over the crossbar. Soon after, Poland's centre back Jakub Krzyżanowski brilliantly joined the attack of his team, but instead of taking a shot he decided to pass the ball - and the situation ended with another corner kick.
The score remained tied at 0-0 when the Gambian referee blew the half-time whistle.
The Japanese increased their advantage in the first 25 minutes of the 2nd half. Yoshiro Moriyama's team created dangerous situations in Poland's penalty area, having their best chance so far in the 65th minute, when two subsequent close-range shots by Inoue were brilliantly saved by Poland's goalkeeper Matys.
The rain battering the pitch throughout the game gradually turned into a proper monsoon downpour - and in the 68th minute the referee sent both teams to the locker room till the heaviest precipitation passes.
20 minutes later the game was resumed - but despite this break it was more and more clear that the Polish players were feeling the toll of tropical heat and humidity more severely than their Asian rivals. One can only hypothesise how would the game look if Poland's manager had a full roster of substitutes to use - but after four players were sent home for disciplinary reasons, FIFA did not allow additional call-ups.
Meanwhile, the Japanese went on creating further opportunities. In the 75th minute Matys saved Poland again after a free kick. Two minutes later, however, he was unable to stop a scorcher from the edge of the box by Rento Takaoko, which found its way under the crossbar.
Despite Poland's efforts, the score remained unchanged till the final whistle was blown.
The Poles will play their next match on Tuesday against Senegal (10 AM Polish time), and on Friday - in their final group phase game - they will face Argentina (10 AM Polish time).
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Source: weszlo.com, gazeta.pl