Group B (Nigeria, Colombia, Japan, Sweden)
Colombia v Nigeria
Wednesday, 3 PM
Location: Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo
TV: NBC Universo
Streaming: Men's Soccer Match 22
Japan v Sweden
Wednesday, 3 PM
Location: Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador
TV: Olympic Soccer Channel
Streaming: Men's Soccer Match 21
After the saga Nigeria endured to get to Manaus, only arriving hours before kickoff, it is amazing that they are the only team to have secured first in their group heading into the final game. Only Nigeria and Portugal have six points after two rounds out of the 16 teams that qualified for the Olympics.
Nigeria head to Sao Paolo to take on a dangerous Colombia team that have two draws from their first two games. Colombia has finished with identical 2-2 scorelines against Sweden and Japan. With only 18 player rosters and such a compact schedule, look for Nigeria to take advantage of their unique position heading into matchday 3 and rest as many players as possible. With a win Colombia advance in second no matter what happens in the Japan v Sweden game.
In case of a Japan v Sweden draw and a Nigeria win over Colombia it will come down to goal differential with all three of Japan, Sweden and Colombia on two points. Nigeria beat both Japan and Sweden by one goal, but this is where Japan's crazy 5-4 scoreline in their loss to Nigeria will come into play. With goals scored as the next tiebreaker, Japan has the upper hand in a Japan v Sweden draw scenario.