Japan still the pride of Asia despite World Cup exit

They may have lost the game, but against Belgium Japan showed why they are the pride of Asia

Unfazed, unmoved and uncowed by their star-studded opponents, Japan were a joy to watch against Belgium. And when the talented Takashi Inui had struck to make it to 2-0, the Blue Samurai must’ve thought they were on their way to play Brazil in their first ever quarter-finals at a World Cup.

Alas, it was not meant to be as Belgium delivered a heart-breaking knock-out blow to dash the hopes of their Asian counterparts. Indeed the only criticism that can be directed at the men in blue were their naivety. They lacked proper game management and when Keisuke Honda delivered a poor ball into the penalty area…