Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moscow: Japan will shoulder the Asian challenge as the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 cast was finalised on Thursday.
The Samurai Blue advanced to the Knockout Stage on Thursday by the finest of margins, qualifying for the Round of 16 on the fair play criteria ahead of Senegal.
The reward for the four-time AFC Asian Cup winners, who lost 1-0 to Poland in their final Group H match, is a clash with Group G winners Belgium.
Opting to start with a largely changed lineup, Belgium defeated England - who also opted to give their fringe players a run out - 1-0 to take top spot in the group.