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Japan controversy as World Cup match ends in FARCE over Group H yellow cards
JAPAN caused a storm at the World Cup today by playing down the clock to lose against Poland.
Japan were guaranteed progression to the last-16 of the World Cup if Colombia beat Senegal 1-0 in Samara.
And their match against already-out Poland in Volgograd effectively turned into a dead rubber.
In scenes that will infuriate football purists, Japan decided simply to keep possession when 1-0 down to the Poles.
It led to a somewhat farcical situation where Japan were set to go through on booking points.
And go through they did - but not before the played keep-ball in their own half instead of trying to pinch a point off Poland.
It is actually embarrassing on Fifa
In doing so, Japan risked Senegal getting back into their game against Colombia.
And BBC commentator Mark Lawrenson was furious with the Japanese for their antics.
“Deciding it on bookings is mad. It should be on goals in qualification because that is the most important thing in football. Anyone can get booked,” he said.
“It is actually embarrassing on Fifa. It is an absolute farce.”
Lawrenson then added after the match: “It was a very poor game first of all, and turned into a farce.
“There has to be a better way of settling a table in the World Cup. Bookings? No, sorry.”