Hasebe, 34, has skippered Japan since the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where Takeshi Okada’s side went out in the Round of 16 on penalties to Paraguay following a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.

On Monday, Japan again failed to clear the last 16 hurdle against Belgium, who came back from two goals down midway through the second half to win 3-2, eliminating Akira Nishino’s charges from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Hasebe, though, said Japan’s performance on Monday against one of the tournament favorites spoke volumes about the strides his team has taken since he first wore the armband eight years ago.

Honda came off the bench with the scores level at 2-2 as Japan threw away a two-goal advantage before Nacer Chadli’s last-gasp strike took Roberto Martinez’s side into the quarter-finals and leave the Japanese frustrated yet again.

This was the third time Japan have exited the competition at the Round of 16 having lost to Turkey in 2002 and Paraguay in South Africa in 2010, a game in which Honda played as the Samurai Blue were knocked out in a penalty shootout.

Goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui handed Japan a 2-0 lead in the second half at Rostov Arena but Belgium hit back with three goals, including a 94th-minute winner that knocked out the last Asian side remaining at this FIFA World Cup.

Although Japan failed to get past the last 16 once again – they also came up short in 2002 and 2010 – Tashima gushed with praise for Akira Nishino’s men, who had the Belgians sweating and were on the cusp of reaching their nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

The four-time AFC Asian Cup winners threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 in stoppage time as the Japanese missed out once more on a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

Nacer Chadli’s goal on the break deep into added time handed Belgium the win and ensured Japan’s run at Russia 2018 ended in the last 16, just as it did in 2002 and 2010.

Chadli's superbly worked goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time was the final act of an epic last 16 battle that saw Belgium become the first team in 48 years to successfully overturn a 2-0 deficit in a World Cup knockout game.

The Red Devils will face five-time champions Brazil in Kazan on Friday after scoring three second-half goals without reply to break Japan's dogged resistance.

Goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui in four devastating minutes had put Japan 2-0 up early in the second half to leave Belgium reeling.

However, the Red Devils responded with quick goals of their own as Jan Vertonghen, at fault for Haraguchi's goal, and Marouane Fellaini both scored headers before Chadli's dramatic winner in Rostov.

Having also exited the last 16 in both 2002 and 2010, Japan suffered Knockout Stage heartbreak for the third time.

With the first knockout round set to kick off today, the-AFC.com looks back at the five previous times when Asian sides have progressed beyond the group stage and into the business end of the global showpiece.

Many of the Samurai Blue shone in the first round while, although departed, a number of players from Asia’s four other representatives grabbed the world’s attention. The-AFC.com has chosen five for you to vote for your standout performer.