Both Japan and Greece are chasing three points as they look to stay alive in the World Cup. After disappointing losses for both sides, under very different circumstances, both head coaches have decided to make some adjustments to their starting lineups.
Japan's biggest change is the removal of Shinji Kagawa from the starting lineup, with Yoshito Ōkubo taking over in his place. In the defense, Masato Morishige steps aside, with Yasuyuki Konno replacing him on the back line.
Japan V. Greece
Japan V. Greece
Greece have also made a couple adjustments in the attack with Kostas Mitroglou and Giannis Fetfatzidis earning starting spots in place of Theofanis Gekas and Dimitris Salpingidis. After not generating much in terms of scoring chances in their first match, it'll be interesting to see if the moves improve Greece's chances.
Japan starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Eiji Kawashima; Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, Yasuyuki Konno, Atsuto Uchida; Hotaru Yamaguchi, Makoto Hasebe; Yoshito Ōkubo, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki; Yūya Ōsako
Greece starting lineup (4-3-3): Orestis Karnezis; José Holebas, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Kostas Manolas, Vasilis Torosidis; Panagiotis Kone, Kostas Katsouranis, Giannis Maniatis; Georgios Samaras, Kostas Mitroglou, Giannis Fetfatzidis