Hello and welcome to Eurosport's live commentary of the World Cup Group H clash between Japan and Poland. This is Ryan Bailey (@ryanjaybailey) taking you through all the action from the Volgograd.
 Kick off is 16.00 BST, team news to follow shortly.

Kurzawa plays a neat one-two on the left corner of the area with Lewandowski, but the No. 9's eventual shot is blocked.

Muto gets his pop at goal with a low drive from 20 yards but Fabianski does well to bat it away!

Muto steals a sloppy Bednarek pass near the edge of the box and makes a square run. He's dispossessed before he has the chance to make a pass.

Poland got off lightly there.

Krychowiak gives away the ball sloppily in his own half, sparking a Japan break. Shibasaki pushes forward and attempts a cross but there's too much on it.

Kurzawa, after reciving the ball from Lewandowski, attempts a low cross into the box but it's blocked.

It's been an even contest so far. Japan knock it around their back line at walking pace.

There's talk of introducing drinks breaks in the 37c heat today, but thanfkully the entire field is in the shade.

At the other end, Poland win a corner but it's easily cleared.

Okazaki latches on to a long ball amnd forced Fabianski to come to the edge of his box to clear!

Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe pips his whistle and Robert Lewandowski takes the first touch!

The teams are on the pitch!

It's a great atmosphere in Volgograd. Everybody is ready to have a lovely time... and clean up after themselves when it's done.

Kick-off is 10 minutes away in Volgograd.

Japan, who have made six changes to their side, need only a draw to reach the second stage for the thrid time in their history. Poland have already booked their flights home and are playing for pride alone.

Curiously, all four of Japan's World Cup scorers are on the bench today in a game where they must earn at least a draw to secure progression.

Perhaps they aspire to be on the more difficult half of the draw?

It could be a slow-paced game today.

According to the interwebs, it is currently a scorching 37c in Volgograd.

It might be a busy day for Lukasz Fabianski: Poland's last clean sheet in the World Cup came against Portugal in 1986. They've shipped 23 goals in 10 games since.

Japan have made six changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Senegal. They are expected to switch to a 4-4-2 with Shinji Okazaki partnering Yoshinori Muto up top. Several of the starters will be seeing their first World Cup minutes, which seems a risky strategy at this stage.

Poland, on the other hand, have nothing to lose, and have made five changes.

Today's kick-offs have implications for England fans, as the Three Lions or Belgium will face either Japan, Senegal or Colombia in the Round of 16.

As it currently stands, England will take on Senegal.

Conversely, relatively little was expected of Japan going into Russia. Yet the Samurai Blue kicked off the campaign with a 2-1 win over Colombia - the first victory for an Asian team over a South American one at the World Cup.

Japan are guaranteed passage to the knockout rounds if they match or better Colombia's result against Senegal.

It's been a very disappointing tournament for Poland so far. After a strong qualification campaign - in which Robert Lewandowski came out as top scorer in all qualificvation regions - big things were expected of the Poles. However, they looked lacklustre in defeats to Senegal and Colombia.

They have never left a World Cup group stage without at least a one win, so will be looking to regain some pride today.