They may have lost the game, but against Belgium Japan showed why they are the pride of Asia
Unfazed, unmoved and uncowed by their star-studded opponents, Japan were a joy to watch against Belgium. And when the talented Takashi Inui had struck to make it to 2-0, the Blue Samurai must’ve thought they were on their way to play Brazil in their first ever quarter-finals at a World Cup.
Alas, it was not meant to be as Belgium delivered a heart-breaking knock-out blow to dash the hopes of their Asian counterparts. Indeed the only criticism that can be directed at the men in blue were their naivety.