Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup opener

Brilliant result for Japan, up against a team playing dirty. Colombia's defence was as bad as Argentina's.

Well done Japan. Fine match and clearly the deserving winner tonight. Quite some revenge from last WC 4-1 drubbing by Columbia. Score could have been higher if some finishes were better executed. But a victory is in the books and Japan may well go through now to the next round.

Japan was kinda lucky with the red card giving them an edge. However, they did play well. A win is a win. Congratulation and good luck.

Fantastic performance Samurai Blue! Excellent from 1 to 11. First Asian team to ever beat a South American team in the WC - in 17 attempts! Arguably, the best performance ever by the Japanese men’s team. Great chance now for the Samurai to make the final 16 - and then who knows?

How about the Japanese goalkeeper pretending the ball didn't cross the line for Colombia's goal?!

The second half was clearly Japan's.

Pretty tough refereeing.

Great job Japan!

Japanese citizens have all the right in the world to celebrate on the streets without snarky comments.

Congratulations! Go ahead, Japan!!!

Unbelievable! Japans win will cheer up all those in Kansai suffering. The win is dedicated to them. Honda Keisuke was brilliant when he came on, set up 2nd goal.

I am so happy, and we will be partying and dancing all night!! All of Japan goes to job with no sleep and hangover tomorrow!!

"Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup opener" and let's see more miracle Japan will go forward next matches 11x11 and win, Senegal and Poland players checking Japanese players now.

Congratualtions to Japan. It was an intense game compared to the game played by SK yesterday.

How about the Japanese goalkeeper pretending the ball didn't cross the line for Colombia's goal?!

I think in that moment he forgot that this world cup goal line technology is being used so no way you can fool the ref. Maybe force of habit or reflex? Cut him some slack.

Stupid handball by Colombia. Better to give up a goal at 3' and have 87' to come back at full strength.

Where are all the English people saying that Japan would lose?

You have to fear for Sanchez now - if he ever goes back home - knowing how Colombians deal with players who let them down (the late Escobar didnt last very long after he got home after the 1994 Cup). Hope history doesn’t repeat.

Stupid handball by Colombia. Better to give up a goal at 3' and have 87' to come back at full strength.

I do not think it is a deliberate handball because the ball hit the arm of the player, not the hand. However, since the ball is goal tending. A penalty and red card are justified.

Japan played as a team, finally, and deserve the win, even if they missed so many shots on goal. Colombia showed occasional brilliance but it was not enough.

This should give Samurai Blue confidence in their new coach and in themselves.

The jury is still out on Kawashima though...

The Columbians played really dirty here. Japan made good use of their advantage.

How about the Japanese goalkeeper pretending the ball didn't cross the line for Colombia's goal?!

How about the acting job by the Colombian to get the free kick that least to their one and only goal?

I am so happy, and we will be partying and dancing all night!! All of Japan goes to job with no sleep and hangover tomorrow!! hold on lets not get ahead of ourselves yet, next up Senegal they just beat Poland

Very impressive second half performance from Japan.

People who really know football know... 

People who really enjoy football know there's no place for rational thinking...

Great. Now they're just going to talk non-stop about soccer on every current affairs show non-stop, until they lose.

I suppose it'll be a welcome change from the murdered rich dude.

Where are all the English people saying that Japan would lose?

Reall, just get over yourself, @seanwd20. Of course Japan were expected to lose. And they pulled off a great win, and this was partly helped by playing against 10 men for 87 minutes.

A few days ago you said:

. I fear a battering when Japan and Colombia meet at the World Cup. 

You too expected Japan to take a battering!

congratulation!! way to go. keep it up. looking forward to watch on sunday.

Where are all the English people saying that Japan would lose?

Probably thinking “Oh, I got that wrong” while thinking of their team possibly playing Japan in the knockout stage. That’s something you don’t need to think about and possibly never will.

Well played Japan. Still had a job to do after the red and did it well. Wide open group.

Great. Now they're just going to talk non-stop about soccer on every current affairs show non-stop, until they lose. I suppose it'll be a welcome change from the murdered rich dude.

The same can be said for the English press or are the standards applied differently? Some might be getting carried away but even Nishino said it's still not job done. Beating Colmbia is a better feat than finishing of Tunisia in stoppage-time.

The same can be said for the English press or are the standards applied differently?

How are the press in your country covering your team’s performance in the World Cup?

How are the press in your country covering your team’s performance in the World Cup?

I am just pointing out the fact that the English media and fans are doing the same thing. After beating Tunisia, they were all chanting 'it's coming home'.

I am just pointing out the fact that the English media and fans are doing the same thing. After beating Tunisia, they were all chanting 'it's coming home'.

Good. Let them enjoy themselves and stop being so catty.

It’s pathetic.

People making excuses or Colombia's loss and are angry that Japan won. Why can't they give credit where it's due? Also, many of the English members on JT failed to mention Ashley Young's elbow during the England match. That should've been a red card.