Overview

Japan’s preparation for Russia 2018 has not been the most straightforward of Asia's representatives, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic departing the helm just two months before the competition to be replaced with technical director Akira Nishino.

The former Gamba Osaka boss attempted a new three-man defence in his first match in charge, a 2-0 defeat at home to Ghana on May 30, as well as offering a reprieve to big names Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, and Shinji Okazaki, whose places were in doubt under Halilhodzic.

For football fans around the globe, a team’s kit often serves as an everlasting visual representation of certain memories. Nowhere is this truer than in the FIFA World Cup, where the four-year gap means kits usually change from one edition of the competition to the next.

Some kits have been immortalised due to their unique designs, while others remain forever associated with the team’s success. 

Here are five unforgettable kits from the Continent’s representatives in this year’s World Cup. View them below and then pick your favourite .

Eight years ago, Kawashima was selected into the Japan squad as a backup to Seigo Narazaki. With the competition kicking off, though, he emerged as the surprise starting goalkeeper in preference to the first-choice custodian due to some standout performances during pre-tournament friendlies.

He duly seized the opportunities, excelling throughout as the Samurai Blue progressed from a group which also featured the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon.

That marked Japan’s first time in reaching the second round on foreign soil. While it’s certainly an achievement to be proud of, it was their loss against Paraguay in the second round meeting that leaves Kawashima still lamenting today.

In fact, Kawashima and company impressed against the South Americans by holding them goalless after 120 minutes, only to lose out 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out.

"We were so disappointed by the result in 2010," the 35-year-old said. "We came so close to reaching the last eight. But in the end we missed the chance. Looking back, I think that some details made the difference and decided the result."

The former JFA technical director, who took charge from Vahid Halilhodzic last month, signalled his intentions by turning to his old guard, including talismanic forward Keisuke Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa.

Japan, beaten 2-0 by Ghana on Wednesday in Nishino's first game as coach, face Colombia, Senegal and Poland in Group H at the World Cup.

Forward Shinji Okazaki (pictured below), who has won an English Premier League title with Leicester City, and defenders Yuto Nagatomo and Maya Yoshida will also bring experience.

Ever since making their debut at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Japan have experienced many highs and lows over the years. Here are some of their best moments on the global stage in the five tournaments they have featured in since then:

Thomas Partey put the visitors in front after just nine minutes in rain-lashed Yokohama before an Emmanuel Boateng penalty early in the second further dented Japan's hopes.

Thomas, who plays in Spain at Atletico Madrid, blasted a free-kick into the bottom corner after a foul by Tomoaki Makino on the edge of the box.

Japan's talisman Keisuke Honda twice went close at the other end, but Boateng stunned the home side by doubling Ghana's lead from the spot six minutes after halftime.

With the 2018 FIFA World Cup just weeks away from kicking off in Russia, with Saudi Arabia playing the host nation in the opening match in Moscow on 14 June, we take a look at five iconic goals scored by Asian players in FIFA World Cup history.