FIFA World Cup Japan advances to the knockout stage by the skin of their teeth!
On June 28, at the FIFA World Cup Russia, the Japan national team advanced past the group stage and secured a spot in the knockout tournament.
(Photo: Fort Kishimoto)
Japan, in Group H, defeated Colombia in their opening match and drew with Senegal in their second match, setting up their final group stage match against Poland.
Needing only a draw to secure their place in the knockout stage on their own merits, Japan lost to Poland.
In the other Group H match, Colombia defeated Senegal to clinch first place. As a result, Japan and Senegal both finished with one win, one draw, and one loss, tied on four points, goal difference, and total goals scored. However, Japan surpassed Senegal in fair play points (calculated from yellow and red cards) to finish second in the group, narrowly advancing to the Round of 16.
The average viewership rating for the Poland match, broadcast on the Fuji TV network, was 44.2% (Kanto region, according to Video Research Ltd.). The peak instantaneous rating reached 54.0% just before halftime.
While it did not match the 44.2% for the opening match against Colombia (NHK General TV) on the 19th, it surpassed the 30.9% for the Senegal match (Nippon TV network) on the 24th.
Japan, advancing to the knockout stage, will face Belgium, which topped Group G, on July 2.
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