Colombia will settle on late choice on the Left-back Frank Fabra was ruled out of the tournament after injuring his knee earlier this month, so Johan Mojica is set for his first competitive cap.
Colombia will make late decision on the fitness of star midfielder James Rodriguez, who has been nursing a muscle problem.
Japan forward Shinji Okazaki has been nursing a calf problem in recent days and is unlikely to play. Mainz’s Yoshinori Muto or Werder Bremen’s Yuya Osako will play instead.
Coach Akira Nishino could leave out Keisuke Honda, 32, who has gone 21 months without an international goal.
Winger Takashi Inui, who will join Real Betis this summer, scored twice in Japan’s final friendly, a 4-2 win against Paraguay, and that could earn him a starting berth in Saransk.
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Colombia forward Luis Muriel: “I think Japan’s main strength, like any Asian team, is the speed of their transition, they can go quickly from defence to attack and attack to defence.
“So we need to try to block that with fast plays when we can counter-attack and find space. And in defence we should try to adjust quickly if we lose the ball or if they’re attacking.”of star midfielder James Rodriguez, who has been nursing a muscle issue.
Japan forward Shinji Okazaki has been nursing a calf issue as of late and is probably not going to play. Mainz's Yoshinori Muto or Werder Bremen's Yuya Osako will play.
CoachAkira Nishino could forget Keisuke Honda, 32, who has gone 21 months without a worldwide objective.
Winger Takashi Inui, who will join Real Betis this late spring, scored twice in Japan's last benevolent, a 4-2 win against Paraguay, and that could win him a beginning billet in Saransk.
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Colombia forward Luis Muriel: "I believe Japan's principle quality, similar to any Asian group, is the speed of their change, they can go rapidly from protection to assault and assault to safeguard.
"So we have to attempt to hinder that with quick plays when we can counter-assault and discover space. Also, in safeguard we should attempt to modify rapidly on the off chance that we lose the ball or in the event that they're assaulting."
