Key events
In the ITV studio is the Guardian’s very own Karen Carney (wahey) and the Telegraph’s Joe Cole (booooooo).
When I think of early Sunday kick-offs, attending Manchester City v Everton in 2005 was my earliest start time: 11.15 kick-off. Admittedly, I did see the best moment of Danny Mills’ career, so it was worth it.
Starting lineups
Japan (4-2-3-1): Gonda; Yamane, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Endo, Morita; Doan, Kamada, Soma; Ueda
Costa Rica (4-2–2-2): Navas; Watson, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Tejeda, Borges; Fuller, Torres; Campbell, Contreras
For those interested … Michael Oliver is the referee for today’s big match.
Japan to make history?
The Costa Rican fans have not been subdued by their opening day 7-0 loss.
What do you think of when someone mentions Costa Rican football? There is only one answer. Courtesy of Michael Butler.
Barney Ronay and Tom Jenkins went for a wander around Lusail. It seems interesting …
Preamble
Japan shocked Germany in the opening game, while Costa Rica were roundly thrashed 7-0 by Spain. There is surely only one outcome here today. Costa Rica beating Japan at this stage would arguably be a bigger surprise than what was dished out to the Germans.
By the end of the day, Japan could be into the knockout stages of the tournament and Germany plotting an early return home to please their club managers. Costa Rica, however, have a point to prove and will not want to succumb to another bewildering defeat. They rarely make it to this stage, so will want to make some good memories to go with the ones that involve Gavi and Dani Olmo.
Japan thoroughly deserved their victory last time out and will be keen to build on that today. Their squad is incredibly talented and they will be confident they can do the business.
Let’s hope for a Sunday morning (UK time) cracker.
Kick-off: 10am GMT.