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Kagawa recalled by Japan for Colombia match

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CUIABA, Brazil (AP) Japan playmaker Shinji Kagawa has been recalled for his team's must-win Group C match against already-qualified Colombia at the World Cup on Tuesday.

In the Asian champions' only other change, Toshihiro Aoyama replaces fellow midfielder Hotaru Yamaguchi. Yuya Osako drops out for Kagawa, who started on the bench in Japan's 0-0 draw against Greece last time out.

Colombia, which has won both of its games so far to secure a top-two finish, makes eight changes with goalkeeper David Ospina, Pablo Armero and Juan Cuadrado the only players retained.

Japan needs a victory in Cuiaba to stand any chance of overhauling Ivory Coast, which is two points ahead in second place and plays Greece simultaneously.

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Japan: Eiji Kawashima, Atsuto Uchida, Yuto Nagamoto, Maya Yoshida, Yasuyuki Konno; Toshihiro Aoyama, Makoto Hasebe, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa; Shinji Okazaki, Yoshito Okubo.

Colombia: David Ospina, Santiago Arias, Carlos Valdes, Eder Balanta, Pablo Armero, Fredy Guarin, Alex Mejia, Adrian Ramos, Juan Quinetro, Juan Cuadrado, Jackson Martinez.