Modified on June 25, 2014
June 24: Japan vs Colombia
The game was held in Cuiaba.
Japan faced the invincible Colombia side.
Yasuki Konno received a yellow card for a foul and with that Juan Cuadrasdo
won a penalty and made it into the goal in the 17th minute.
As the first half was about to end, Keisuke Honda passed the ball to Shinji Okazaki who
headed in a goal.
This was hoped to boost the spirit of the Samurai Blue.
But James Rodriguez changed the mood of the game to boost the Colombian side.
Jackson Martinez goaled twice. Rodriguez goaled too.
With the game ending 1 to 4 game, Japan's World Cup in Brazil ended.
After the game, the players looked shocked.
They attempted more shots at the goal then the Colombian side or 23.
The day after, Alberto Zaccheroni said he would take responsibility and quit.
Honda apologized for being overbearing before the matches by stating he
was aiming for a victory. He said he will start from scratch.
June 19: Japan vs Greece
In Natal, in high humidy the match was played.
Shinji Kagawa was not among the starting line up.
Japan had controlled of the ball more than Greece and shot the ball towards the goal more too.
After Greece's Konstantinos was out with a red card, the Samurai Blue, however struggled for a goal
against a team with only 10 players.
The game ended a 0 to 0 score.
June 14: Japan vs Ivory Coast
In pouring rain and before a sell out crowd the game began in Recife's Arena Pernambuco at 10 pm.
Captain Makoto Hasebe led the Samurai Blue despite worries his recovery from a knee surgery
is not complete.
In the 10th minute, a pass from Yuto Nagatomo led to Keisuke Honda's swell goal.
In the 2nd half, Ivory Coast's iconic striker Didier Drogba was called onto the field.
That seems to have change the mood of the African team.
Bony kicked in a goal. Just minutes after that Gervinho goaled.
Japan lost 1 to 2.
PRE 2014 WORLD CUP
vs Zambia
This game was held at Raymond James Stadium on June 7.
Japan again gave up a goal. It's in the 9th minute. It lost another goal.
Them Japan fought back with goals by Keisuke Honda and Shinjuku Kagawa.
Yoshito Okubo kicked in a game winning goal.
Japan won 4 to 3.
vs Costa Rica
On June 2, Samurai Blue faced Costa Rica which will also play in the World Cup.
It's at Raymond James Stadium.
Costa Rica goaled first. Then in the later half, Yasutoko Endo who was on the field goaled.
Then, Kakita passed the ball to Shinji Kagawa who goaled.
It was Kakitani who goaled the 3rd point.
Samurai Blue won 3 to 1.
The concern Keisuke Honda was not playing well.
Team leaves for pre WC training
On May 29 Zaccheroni's team left Tokyo for the US.
It's to hold camp in Florida.
Japan announces national team roster
Japan's 23 national team players for the World Cup was unveiled on May 12.
There were many international players in the selection.
They include Keisuke Honda of AC Milan, Shinji Kagawa of Manchester United,
Yuto Nagatomo of Inter.
Many however are recovering from injuries including captain Makoto Hasebe,
defender, Atsuto Uchida and Maya Yoshida.
The surprise was 32 year old Yoshito Okubo and Toshihiro Aoyama.