KOBE -- After earning its first ever point in the World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Belgium on Tuesday, Japan faces a significant challenge when it meets Russia on Sunday night at International Stadium Yokohama.
With Russia leading Group H on three points after beating Tunisia on Wednesday, and assuming that Belgium beats Tunisia on Monday to increase its point total to four, Japan ideally needs a win to boost its hopes of booking a spot in the next round.
In Tuesday's game against Belgium, Japan played the long-ball game in the first half, rather than its usual style of connecting short passes.