The Blue Samurai have impressed in Russia 2018, shrugging off a difficult build up to defeat Colombia 2-1 and come from behind to take a point in the 2-2 draw with Senegal.

It has been a remarkable run for coach Akira Nishino, who took over just two months before the FIFA World Cup, as he has moulded Japan into a potent side.

They will take on already-eliminated Poland with confidence and little pressure after their earlier performances.

While a point will be enough to seal qualification, Japan will advance even if they lose should Senegal defeat Colombia in the other Group H match.

The Samurai Blue No 7 has been deployed alongside skipper Makoto Hasebe in a deeper midfield role in Akira Nishino's 4-2-3-1 set-up. 

But rather than being content with a holding role, Shibasaki has popped up everywhere, contributing in defence, attack and drifting out to the wings.

Indeed, while the hero of the 2-2 draw with Senegal might have been Takashi Inui - scorer of Japan's first and provider of their second - Shibasaki has a strong claim to having been the team's best player in each of their games so far. And, encouragingly for Nishino, he insists he can play much better.

Honda struck Japan's equaliser just six minutes after coming on for Shinji Kagawa in the 72nd minute with the match finishing 2-2.

In Honda’s FIFA World Cup debut in 2010, he scored against Cameroon and Denmark as Japan advanced to the Round of 16.

In Brazil 2014, Honda found the back of the net in the group stage match against Ivory Coast.

Australia’s Tim Cahill, Saudi Arabia’s Sami Al Jaber and Korea Republic's Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung are the next leading Asian scorers with three goals each.

Takashi Inui cancelled out Sadio Mane’s opener before Keisuke Honda came off the bench to claim a second equaliser 12 minutes from time after Moussa Wague had put Senegal back in front as the teams shared the points.

The draw means the pair are locked together on four points from their first two games in Group H and the Japanese are continuing to grow in confidence after a challenging build-up to the Finals.

After the East Asians defeated Colombia 2-1 in their opening fixture of the tournament, coach Akira Nishino named an unchanged side, but Japan fell behind to Sadio Mane’s early strike before Takashi Inui levelled.

Moussa Wague put the West African side back in front but substitute Keisuke Honda rescued a point with 12 minutes remaining as the Samurai Blue and Senegal remained level on points and goal difference at the top of the standings.

Substitute Honda equalised with 12 minutes left as Japan twice pegged back Senegal in a thrilling 2-2 draw that leaves Group H wide open.

All eyes will now be on the other group match later on Sunday between Poland and Colombia following this stalemate at the Ekaterinburg Arena.

As it stands, Japan and Senegal have four points after two games, with Colombia and Poland on zero, though they have played a game less. 

Midfielder Honda scored Japan's second goal after goalkeeper Khadim N'Diaye flapped at a cross.

Footage of Japanese supporters tidying up after a game - cue amazed reaction from fans of other countries - has become a staple of recent FIFA World Cups.

Following their shock 2-1 win over Colombia on Tuesday - the first time an Asian team had beaten a South American one at a FIFA World Cup - Japanese fans gathered up their rubbish and stuffed it inside blue plastic bin bags.

The blue is no coincidence - it is the colour of the national side's shirts.

Their behaviour appeared to inspire Colombian and Senegalese fans to follow suit and this could be the tidiest FIFA World Cup in history.