Japan beats Spain 2-1 as both teams advance at World Cup
Doha (AP): Same stadium. Same result. Similar shocking victory for Japan at the World Cup.
After beating Germany 2-1 in its opener, Japan found its way into the round of 16 of the World Cup by defeating Spain by the same score in its last group game Thursday.
Spain also advanced despite the loss.
Japan scored twice early in the second half to come from behind and defeat another European powerhouse and make it to the knockout stage for the second straight time. It was the first time Japan has advanced past the group stage in back-to-back tournaments.
Ao Tanaka scored the winning goal from close range early in the second half. It took about two minutes for video review officials to confirm the ball hadn't gone out of bounds before the goal that gave Japan the win at Khalifa International Stadium, which is where Japan had shocked Germany in its opener.
Japan finished at the top of Group E to set up a last-16 matchup against Croatia. Spain finished second and will take on Morocco.
Spain and Germany which beat Costa Rica 4-2 both had three points in the group. But Spain had a superior goal difference from its first group match so Germany was eliminated.
The group standings bounced back and forth during both matches. Costa Rica was beating Germany at one point. If that result had stood, Costa Rica would have eliminated Spain.
lvaro Morata scored first for Spain in the 11th minute and Spain was in control until Japan rallied after halftime. Ritsu Doan equalized in the 48th with a left-footed shot from outside the box, and Tanaka added the second three minutes later.
Morata became the first player to score in the first three Spain matches at the World Cup since Telmo Zarra in 1950.
Spain had opened with a 7-0 rout of Costa Rica before conceding late in a 1-1 draw against Germany.
Japan was eliminated by Belgium in the last 16 in Russia. It has never gone past the round of 16 at World Cups.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Four police officials suspended over alleged custodial torture in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Four officials of the Fort Police Station here have been suspended in connection with an alleged custodial torture incident, police said on Friday.
The suspended personnel are Grade Sub-Inspector Sreekumar and Civil Police Officers Siju, Sunil and Gireesh.
Last week, Fort Police registered a case after a motorcycle was allegedly found stolen near a hotel here.
During the investigation, police identified two Kottayam natives, Jinu and Unni, as suspects.
Jinu was later taken into custody from Kochi, which led to the apprehension of Unni and a minor boy, officials said.
After initial interrogation, the minor was released.
However, family members of Jinu and Unni alleged that they were brutally assaulted while in custody.
After being remanded in judicial custody, Jinu’s condition reportedly worsened.
He was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital and later referred to the Government Medical College Hospital, officials said.
Police officials said Jinu suffered serious kidney dysfunction and remains in critical condition.
Unni was also admitted to the hospital with injuries, officials added.
Following allegations of custodial torture, Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner K Karthick ordered an inquiry by an Assistant Commissioner to ascertain whether custodial assault had taken place.
Police said the inquiry found that custodial assault had occurred and that arrest procedures were not properly followed.
Based on the report, the City Police Commissioner ordered the suspension of the four officers and initiated a departmental probe against them, police said.
