Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s last-gasp elimination to Belgium in the Round of 16 ended Asia’s hopes at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, but the Continent’s five sides produced some excellent performances on the global stage.
Tokyo: Japan captain Makoto Hasebe has announced his retirement from the national team, on the heels of the squad's heartbreaking ejection from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Flashback: Korea Republic make quarter-final history
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 concluding on Tuesday, the last eight teams have been finalised. While there are no Asian sides remaining in Russia, we wind the clock back to 2002 and recall when Korea Republic faced Spain in a memorable quarter-final clash.
Kuala Lumpur: After two weeks of scintillating action, the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup ended on Thursday with Japan progressing to a last 16 clash against Belgium on Monday.
Rostov-on-Don: Japan, Asia's lone representatives in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, suffered heartbreak after going 2-0 up against favourites Belgium before falling to a late 3-2 defeat on Monday.
Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s 1-0 defeat to Poland was enough to ensure the Samurai Blue qualified for the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the third time in what is a record for an Asian nation, having also advanced in 2002 on home soil and 2010 in South Africa.