A simplified look at Group H from a historical perspective and the current situation Note: Country's best player Information taken from Wikipedia page. Match Report from several on-line articles Poland History World Cup Appearances: 7 times 1930: Did not enter 1934: Did not qualify 1938: First round (Straight knockout format) 1950: Did not enter 1954: Did not enter 1958: Did not qualify 1962: Did not qualify 1966: Did not qualify 1970: Did not qualify 1974: Third 1978: Quarter-finals 1982: Third 1986: Second round 1990: Did not qualify 1994: Did not qualify 1998: Did not qualify 2002: Group stage 2006: Group stage 2010: Did not qualify 2014: Did not qualify Best World Cup Match: Poland 0-1 West Germany (1974) 'In the match of their lives, Poland’s greatest were up against the conditions as well as their highly vaunted opponents. It was a match that would go down in World Cup legend.' Back Page Football 'This was the Poland of Jan “the Clown” Tomaszewski, Kazimierz Deyna, Andrzej Szarmach and Grzegorz Lato. They were an emerging power of the game, poised to step into something of a golden era. In qualifying for the World Cup they had seen off Alf Ramsey’s England, and at the tournament itself they had won every match so far, in contrast to West Germany who had famously stumbled against East Germany. Topping their opening round group with maximum points – ahead of Argentina, Italy and Haiti – Poland continued their impressive form into the second group stage, from which the group winner would go on to the World Cup Final. Wins over Sweden and Yugoslavia meant that Poland sat level with West Germany with the decisive game to play, but behind the hosts on goal difference. Poland were a real force at the 1974 World Cup, playing fast-paced, free-flowing brand of offensive football replete with short and swift passing combinations. The type of play that is most effective on a good playing surface. Under the leadership of Kazimierz Górski Poland were a team of genuine pedigree.' Back Page Football Best player: Kazimierz Deyna 'Played as an offensive midfielder in the playmaker role and was one of the most highly regarded players of his generation, due to his excellent vision. In 1966 he made one appearance for ŁKS Łódź. But he was quickly snapped up by Legia Warsaw. He made a name for himself during his first season, becoming one of Legia's most important players. In 1969 and 1970 his team won the Polish Championship. He won the gold medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, and the bronze in Football World Cup 1974. In 1972, he was also the Top Goalscorer of the Olympic Games, with a total of nine goals. In 1976 Summer Olympics his team yet again reached the finals and won the silver medal. Additionally, he was ranked third in the European Footballer of the Year for 1974, behind Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer. Deyna played for Poland on 97 occasions, scoring 41 goals, and often captained the side. He had the ability to score from unusual positions, for example directly from a corner. Because of his achievements and talents, he was chosen Football Player of the Year several times by Polish fans. In 1978, he captained Poland at the Football World Cup in Argentina, where the team reached the second phase. Soon afterwards Deyna was transferred to English club Manchester City F.C., and being one of the first wave of overseas players to play in the English league. His time in England was marred by a series of injuries, having made only 43 appearances in all competitions. However, he was regarded as an exceptionally gifted playmaker and became a cult figure with City fans.' Present World Cup Qualification: Group winners Performance at Continental Championship: Quarter-finals Most Notable Match in Qualification: Poland 3-2 Denmark (Home) Most important player: Robert Lewandowski Colombia History Copa America Winners: Once (2001) World Cup Appearances: 5 times National team formed in 1938 1938: Did not enter 1950: Did not enter 1954: Banned 1958: Did not qualify 1962: Group stage 1966: Did not qualify 1970: Did not qualify 1974: Did not qualify 1978: Did not qualify 1982: Did not qualify 1986: Did not qualify 1990: Second round 1994: Group stage 1998: Group stage 2002: Did not qualify 2006: Did not qualify 2010: Did not qualify 2014: Quarter-finals Best World Cup Match: Colombia 2-0 Uruguay (2014) 'Uruguay have followed Luis Suárez in departing the World Cup, though unlike their talismanic striker they need not be consumed by shame at this exit. The nation’s outrage at the sanction handed to the Liverpool forward will still be smouldering upon arrival in Montevideo but, if the sense of fury ever subsides, they may concede it was a Colombian genius rather than the actions of a flawed one of their own who dispatched them from the tournament.' The Guardian 'James Rodríguez was afforded a deafening reception upon his departure five minutes from time here, the tournament’s leading scorer having scored the goals that eased his wonderfully impressive side into a quarter-final against Brazil on Friday. No opponent to date has found a way of stopping Colombia’s principal playmaker.' The Guardian Best player: Willington Ortiz 'He played 49 times for the Colombia national team scoring 12 goals and is the top Colombian player in the IFFHS's rank of South American Player of the Century. Ortiz started his illustrious career at striker in 1971 in the youth system of Millonarios. He won the DIMAYOR Colombian First Division Championship (now the Categoría Primera A) with Millonarios in 1972, and 1978. He played with Millonarios until 1979, participating in the Copa Libertadores 1973, 1974, 1976, and 1979 with the club. In 1980, Willington was transferred to Deportivo Cali and played for "Los Azucareros" for three seasons. Nonetheless this two seasons drew him plenty of attention for his notable play against South American Football giants River Plate of Argentina. He was one of the best footballers of his time. He was even recognized by king Pele. He possessed an amazing mix of speed and technique, similar to other stars like Pele, Maradona, Messi and the unmistakable Ronaldinho. Willington was transferred to América de Cali in late 1982, and won the Colombian Domestic league title in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986. He formed part of what some believed was an ultra defensive team but in 1983 alone Ortiz and fellow striker Juan Mauel Battaglia combined for 40 goals. Willington formed part of America de Cali sides that were so explosive America De Cali went on to be known as "La Mechita". With America De Cali Ortiz reached the finals of Copa Libertadores and were runners-up respectively in 1985, 1986, and 1987. Ortiz played for the Colombia Olympic team at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He played in three editions of Copa América in 1975, 1979 and 1983 reaching the final in 1975. He also played for the Colombian Senior National Team that took part in qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup in 1974, 1978, 1982, and 1986.' Present World Cup Qualification: Fourth in CONMEBOL Performance at Continental Championship: Third Most Notable Match in Qualification: Colombia 1-1 Peru (Away) Most important player: James Rodríguez Senegal History World Cup Appearances: Once National team formed in 1961 1966: Did not enter 1970: Did not qualify 1974: Did not qualify 1978: Did not qualify 1982: Did not qualify 1986: Did not qualify 1990: Did not enter 1994: Did not qualify 1998: Did not qualify 2002: Quarter-finals 2006: Did not qualify 2010: Did not qualify 2014: Did not qualify Best World Cup Match: Senegal 1-0 France (2002) 'In their World Cup debut, Senegal have stunned the world champions in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.' The Guardian 'The defending champions struggled to find their stride and clearly suffered from Zinedine Zidane's withdrawal through injury. In his absence it was left to Senegal's El Hadji Diouf to claim the starring role. Diouf repeatedly harassed the French defence into mistakes and was instrumental in Bouba Diop's goal. After all the hype and build-up and a spectacular opening ceremony, the first match of the tournament lived up to expectations - even if France did not.' BBC Best player: El Hadji Diouf 'Having started his professional football career in France with Sochaux, Rennes and Lens, Diouf finalised a move to Premier League side Liverpool prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup for Senegal and went on to have a memorable tournament. He has also played in England's top flight for Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers before a stint in the Scottish Premier League with Rangers. During his nine-year international career, he scored 21 goals in 69 caps. He played for Senegal in their 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign and was elected to the World Cup All-Star team, after leading Senegal to the quarter-finals. He was also part of the Senegal team who were the runners-up in the 2002 African Cup of Nations. In 2004, he was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé in conjunction with FIFA's centenary celebrations. Diouf has twice been named the African Footballer of the Year.' Present World Cup Qualification: Group winners Performance at Continental Championship: Quarter-finals Most Notable Match in Qualification: Senegal 2-2 Burkina Faso (Away) Most important player: Sadio Mané Japan History Asian Cup Winners: 4 times (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011) World Cup Appearances: 5 times 1930: Did not enter 1934: Did not enter 1938: Did not enter 1950: Banned 1954: Did not qualify 1958: Did not enter 1962: Did not qualify 1966: Did not enter 1970: Did not qualify 1974: Did not qualify 1978: Did not qualify 1982: Did not qualify 1986: Did not qualify 1990: Did not qualify 1994: Did not qualify 1998: Group stage 2002: Second round 2006: Group stage 2010: Second round 2014: Group stage Best World Cup Match: Japan 3-1 Denmark (2010) 'Typical: you wait ages for a blockbuster free-kick at this World Cup, then two come almost at once. Within 13 first-half minutes Japan booked a place in the second round.' The Guardian 'Never mind the Blue Samurai this was the Blue Brazil (with due deference to Cowdenbeath of course) as Japan put Denmark to the sword. They were razor-sharp, they were spectacular and they will now face Paraguay in the last 16.' The Telegraph Best player: Kunishige Kamamoto 'He won the bronze medal with the Japan national team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Japan. Kamamoto was the first Japanese league superstar, being the Japan Soccer League's top scorer 6 times with his club Yanmar Diesel.' Present World Cup Qualification: Group winners Performance at Continental Championship: Quarter-finals Most Notable Match in Qualification: Japan 2-0 Australia (Home) Most important player: Shinji Kagawa