MOSCOW, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Poland beat Japan by 1-0 in their World Cup Group H game in the Volgograd Arena on Thursday afternoon thanks to a 59th minute goal from defender Jan Bednarek, although the result means Japan qualify for the last 16 of the competition ahead of Senegal on fair play.

Bednarek scored from close range following a free kick in what had been an even game with both sides looking to attack, but Japan leaving Poland too many spaces in midfield and down the wings.

In the closing minutes of the match, news of Colombia's goal against Senegal meant the result satisfied both sides and the last 10 minutes saw both sides pass the ball between themselves to the evident frustration of the fans in the ground. It may have been pragmatic, but it was panful to watch and to say they qualified because of 'fair play' is exactly the opposite of what happened. Enditem