The match between Japan & Mexico begins at 8PM BST (3PM EST). To get to the action, simply click to the next page below (or click on the above image).
Japan suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to Italy in their last game, with Juventus’ Sebastian Giovinco giving Cesare Prandelli the win and condemning compatriot Alberto Zaccheroni’s side to an early exit.
The result was not what they wanted but the performance was an improvement over the first game, when Brazil beat them 3-0. The Asians began the game well on top, when veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon gave away a penalty inside 21 minutes. But a 10-minute spell in the second half turned the tide in Italy’s favour, with Daniele de Rossi and Mario Balotelli scoring either side of an Atsuto Uchida own goal.
Japan will want to end their campaign on a confident note and leave Brazil in a winning mood. They have already booked their place in the FIFA World Cup to be held here next summer.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s form can probably be summed up with one fact – they’ve scored only once and that from the penalty spot. Jose Manuel de la Torre’s charges have been poor, with neither Italy nor Brazil unduly troubled in their respective games.
They have yet to confirm qualification for the World Cup and the poor form in this tournament could have problems down the line; Mexico are third in the Concacaf group, with the US and Costa Rica above and both Honduras and Panama pushing hard. – IBTimes
