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VIDEOS
42' - Yuto Nagatomo headed out a good cross in into the Japan penalty area by Dries Mertens, with Thomas Meunier lurking behind the defender
40' - Yellow Card! First booking of the match to Japan's Gaku Shibasaki for a foul on Eden Hazard
38' - Another corner for Belgium. Cleared out easily by Japan again. Belgium yet to take advantage of height from set pieces
36' - Axel Witsel shot it well over the Japan crossbar from distance
35' - Belgium lead Japan 7-3 in terms of shots on goal so far
31' - A rare Japan chance. But the header by Takashi Inui was a weak one and went straight to Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
28' - Corner for Belgium. De Bruyne found Vincent Kompany at the far post, who tried a volley with high boot but couldn't put it down for a strike. Japan survived for the time being
27' - SAVE! Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima punched out the thunderous strike from Eden Hazard from the top of the box.
25' - SAVE! Romelu Lukaku failed to connect a brilliant cross-in from Dries Mertens, from the right flank. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima somehow hold on with the ball
22' - De Bruyne tried a low delivery from the set piece this time. Japan cleared it out comfortably. Belgium yet to trouble Japan with corners
21' - Romelu Lukaku's shot from the edge of the Japan box was deflected out for a corner for Belgium
20' - Belgium controlling the proceedings now after a fiery start from Japan
17' - Corner for Belgium again. De Bruyne found Kompany at the far corner, but the veteran failed to connect properly with the head and the final shot with the foot went well wide of Japan goal
16' - Corner for Belgium after Axel Witsel's long ranger was deflected out by Japan defender. De Bruyne with the delivery, easily cleared out by Japan
14' - Japan cleared out a good looking Belgium move. Yannick Carrasco was unable to create a clear chance from the left top of Japan box.
10' - Kevin De Bruyne with a good through pass for Dries Mertens into the Japan box, but it turned out to be a tad fast for the striker. Goal kick for Japan
10' - Takashi Inui's cross-in to the middle of Belgium penalty area was headed out by Vincent Kompany
7' - Attacking start from Japan. Won a throw-in on the left side of the Belgium box
4' - Free-kick for Belgium. Taken a short one, but failed to enter Japan's final third
1' - Shinji Kagawa's left-footer from the edge of Belgium area went just wide of the goal. First shot on goal of the match came from Japan
Here we go....
KICK-OFF TIME
*Time for National Anthems*
*Belgium made as many as ten changes in the starting line-up, while Japan made six changes. That's a total 16 changes. WOW!
* The record for most changes in a World Cup starting line-up is with Spain, who made 11 changes against Saudi Arabia in 2006 World Cup
Starting line-ups
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen; Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco; Eden Hazard (capt), Dries Mertens; Romelu Lukaku. Coach: Roberto Martinez (ESP)
Japan: Eiji Kawashima; Hiroki Sakai, Maya Yoshida, Gen Shoji, Yuto Nagatomo; Makoto Hasebe (capt), Gaku Shibasaki; Genki Haraguchi, Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui; Yuya Osako. Coach: Akira Nishino (JPN)
Referee: Malang Diedhiou (SEN)
TEAM NEWS
Belgium central defender Vincent Kompany returned to the lineup to face Japan in their last 16 clash for his first start at the tournament after picking up a groin strain in a warm-up match a month ago. Kompany, Belgium's veteran defensive talisman, comes in for Dedryck Boyata and will be partnered by Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in a back three while playmaker Eden Hazard retains the captaincy. Romelu Lukaku is also back as the central striker, with coach Roberto Martinez recalling his biggest name players after fielding practically a reserve team in their 1-0 win over England in their final Group G game.
Japan manager Akira Nishino has picked the same 11 players that drew 2-2 against Senegal in their penultimate group game, restoring Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Genki Haraguchi and Yuya Osako as his side target reaching the quarter-finals for the first time after failing twice in the last 16. Nishino had been criticised for rotating his squad and for his negative tactics in Japan's 0-1 defeat by Poland in their final Group H game that saw them scrape into the second round.
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan. The match starts at 23:30 IST.
(AFP Photo)