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Japan's Honda & Hasebe announce retirement

The Japan stalwarts have retired from international football after their country's World Cup exit at the hands of Belgium

Keisuke Honda and Makoto Hasebe have retired from international football following Japan’s World Cup exit.

The Blue Samurai led 2-0 in their Round of 16 fixture with Belgium before the Europeans launched a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 with a late Nacer Chadli goal.

Honda did not start a game in Russia, but came off the bench as a second half substitute in Rostov, and believes the future is bright for Japan.

"Today we showed how we can proceed as Japanese football," said the 32-year-old, who scored 37 goals in 98 caps.