Japan drawn with Colombia, Ivory Coast, Greece at World Cup

There aren't any free rides in the World Cup, and this group is no exception. Japan will have to play very well to get out of this. But, I think they are a chance.

After all, they could have drawn Spain, The Netherlands and Chile instead!

Don't know what weight to attach to FIFA's rankings, but Colombia are currently 4th, Greece 12th, Ivory Coast 17th, and Japan 48th. Going by that alone Japan's not gonna make it past the first stage, but they will probably surprise.

Australia was grouped with Spain, Holland and Chile.....save the money on plane tickets and hotels and stay at home!

Please, FIFA rankings mean shiet. Anyone actually watching the games will know that Japan are favorites to win this group. Colombia will be tough since it will be played in South America. Ivory Coast as well will be a decent game. Greece will be the easiest of the three.

But this is Japans BEST chance of getting through to the 2nd round, that is undeniable. It wont be easy, but their job has been made a lot less difficult by avoiding the power houses and tournament kings of Brazil, Germany, Spain, Italy and Netherlands.

I think Japan has a good chance. They often fair poorly when they have the upper hand, but are tenacious and even sometimes prevail when facing a challenge. Either way, it's going to be fun to watch.

Thinking Greece are going to be easy beats is the biggest mistake JPN could make. Unbeaten in their last 16 games.

I don't think he meant Greece would be easy, just probably easier than a team like Holland. If they get out of this group they play someone from England's group, bring it on!

Both Japan and Korea with a good draw. Spare a thought for Australia, drawn with the 2 finalists in the last WC... They brought in Ange Postecoglou from Melb Victory because of 6-0, 5-0 losses to Brazil and France, but had he known the Socceroos would get drawn in this group I doubt he would've taken the job.

To be fair to FIFA, we Aussies did deserve the toughest group - being the lowest ranked team in the Cup. The Samurai will have the fight of their lives to get through, they absolutely need to get a result against Ivory Coast, IMO. Very tough in those conditions which may suit the Ivorians. They will back themselves to boss around the Greeks. I think actually Iran and Korea have the best draws of the Asians.

Japan in with a fighting chance. I'd be shocked to see England meet them in the last 16 - Italy are better and Suarez and Cavani will have a field day with our back four. Australia need a dramatic improvement to avoid what could be 3 real hidings.

Japan has a good shot at making the 2nd round. The USA got a tough draw. It is going to be a challenge.

notasap

The USA got a tough draw. It is going to be a challenge.

That's an understatement. Pretty sure Klinsman wouldn't mind switching groups with Zaccheroni...

Thinking Greece are going to be easy beats is the biggest mistake JPN could make. Unbeaten in their last 16 games.

Some people need to learn how to read English.

Bookies have Columbia 8/11, Ivory Coast 7/2, Japan 4/1 and Greece 7/1 to win the group. Australia 20/1 to win group B ( fourth favourite ) USA 8/1 to win Group G ( third favourite ) and England 2/1 to win their group ( third favourite - Italy 7/4 Uruguay 15/8 ).

Japan has the best chance ever to make it past the group stage since 2002. It is very good draw to avoid top-ranked European and South American teams. By the way, the rankings for the Asian teams are so unfair. Japan should be ranked in the top 20 at FIFA. Even in Korea, there is much praise for the Japan team recognizing that the Japanese have really raised their quality and can compete against strong teams like it did in 2010. I think Japan will make it into the top 16. Korea also has a very good draw and so does Iran. Let's hope for all three Asian teams to do well and get FIFA to finally review these rankings again.

@ Sir Edgar - you are a tough marker if you don't consider Colombia one of the "top South American teams"! They finished second only to Argentina in the exhaustive two-year-long playoffs and are currently ranked 4th in the world. A massive challenge for any team.

An excellent draw for them. I think they have a pretty good chance of making though to the second round.

GO SAMURAI BLUE !

This is the best case scenario for Japan. Bookies have been underrating Japan and Korea as well as their NT players in Euro clubs for years. Make some money and make a bet on Japan finishing second in this group. My odds: Columbia 8/11, Japan 7/2, Ivory Coast 6/1, and Greece 4/1. Greece are going to be whipping boy in this group. Ivory Coast is going to be tough but African team have a hard time with Asian teams.

Colombia took second place in South America because Brazil did not compete in the qualification and Uruguay underperformed. Anyhow, Group C is right in the middle. It is not an easy group, but it is not a tough one either. Face it, Japan could have had a much worse draw facing the likes of Argentina and a strong European team like Italy or Portugal. Japan can beat any of the teams in its group, even Colombia.

Please, FIFA rankings mean shiet. Anyone actually watching the games will know that Japan are favorites to win this group.

No, most would say Colombia. Especially when they are playing in South America.

Japan has the best chance ever to make it past the group stage since 2002.

Seems you are forgetting they made it past the group stage in 2010. They do have a decent chance this time as well, but 2010 was a a good chance to get to get even further. Now they will have to face Uruguay, Italy, or England even if they advance.

There aren't any free rides in the World Cup, and this group is no exception. Japan will have to play very well to get out of this. But, I think they are a chance.

Aint that the truth, just look at Italy who thought they had a sweet deal getting New Zealand in their pool at the last cup. Travel schedules are what could be a big deal. England are groaning at travelling they have, heading up to Manaus