Japan's exit from the World Cup on Monday was soccer at its cruelest, but once the dust has settled the team will be able to look back on its campaign with pride and satisfaction.
Japan was denied a first-ever place in the quarterfinals after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Belgium, taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half only for the Belgians to fight back and win the game with 15 seconds remaining. Japan barely had time to kick off after Nacer Chadli's winning goal before referee Malang Diedhiou blew the final whistle, ending the team's World Cup adventure in the round of 16.
The Samurai Blue played with vibrancy and courage against the much-fancied Belgians, holding them scoreless until halftime and then going straight for the jugular after the interval. Genki Haraguchi drew first blood with a superbly taken goal in the 48th minute, before Takashi Inui added another four minutes later.
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