After a difficult buildup to the tournament, Akira Nishino's team showed their true capabilities when they stunned Colombia 2-1 in their opener on June 19.

While there is no denying Colombia played almost the entire match with 10 men after Carlos Sanchez was sent off, Japan showed grit and determination in pulling off the win after the South Americans had equalised through Juan Quintero.

Shinji Kagawa had given the Samurai Blue the lead off a penalty awarded when Sanchez handled the ball in the third minute while Yuya Osako scored the winner in the 73rd minute.

It was a result which Nishino had dreamed of and Japan take on Senegal knowing that a win should take them through to the Round of 16 for just the third time.

And although restricted to a substitute appearance so far in what is his third, and almost certainly final campaign, the former AC Milan star has not given up on that unlikely dream becoming reality.

"I'm feeling that this World Cup is my final one," Honda said at the team's training base in Kazan.

"I'm 32 years old and four years is pretty long. Right now I can't decide about (what will happen) four years later, so I'm spending all my energy on this World Cup.

"That's why I really want to succeed at this World Cup, with these teammates."

The 2-1 win marked a bright start for the Samurai Blue in Russia, sporting a completely different style compared to the team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

In his first competitive game in charge, coach Akira Nishino was unsurprisingly buoyed by the way they have kicked off the tournament. 

“We finished the first match with the best possible result, which I think now hands us a good advantage."

Osaka’s 73rd minute header was the difference between the sides as the Japanese made the most of their one-man advantage over the South Americans, who saw Carlos Sanchez sent off with just three minutes on the clock.

Shinji Kagawa gave Japan the lead from the penalty spot only for Juan Quintero to level the scores six minutes before the break.

But Nishino’s side took the initiative in the second half and, after creating a string of chances, Osako pounced 17 minutes from time to give Japan their first World Cup win since a 3-1 triumph over Denmark in 2010.

The East Asians could not have got off to a better start when Carlos Sanchez was dismissed for handling Shinji Kagawa’s goalbound effort in the third minute and Kagawa coolly slotted the penalty home.

Colombia responded well and equalised through Juan Quintero before the interval, but Japan came back strongly and secured all three points after Yuya Osako’s decisive goal.

Yuya Osako's 73rd-minute winner meant the Japanese avenged their 4-1 mauling in the group stages of Brazil 2014 as Colombia played with a man down for 87 minutes in Saransk.

After leaving Brazil without a win four years ago, Japan made a dream start to their Russia 2018 campaign even though head coach Akira Nishino was only appointed in April.

In an explosive start to the Group H clash, Colombia defender Carlos Sanchez earned the first red card of the tournament with a handball after just three minutes.

Japan took the lead when Shinji Kagawa netted the resulting penalty before Juan Quintero equalised with a free kick for Colombia to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Brazil 2014 topscorer James Rodriguez came on for the last half-hour after labouring in training with a calf strain but could not pull his side level after Osako's goal.

Nishino was appointed as Vahid Halilhodzic’s replacement just two months before the tournament started following the former Algeria coach’s removal from the post by the Japan Football Association.

It was a contentious decision, but Troussier is convinced the hiring of Nishino can restore confidence and instill a greater Japanese identity within the squad as the nation prepares to make a sixth straight appearance at the Finals.