Modified on July 3, 2018
July 2: Japan vs Belgium
The first half was goaless for the two teams.
But as soon as the second half kicked off, Genki Haraguchi dribbled the ball and kicking in the first goal.
Then a few minutes after Takashi Inui goaled.
However less that 24 minutes later, the Red Devils Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini goaled within 5 minutes.
It appeared the match was going into extra time.
But during the last minute of injury time, the Red Devils got the ball Japan had lost after a corner kick.
Nacer Chadli kicked in the goal passing goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
It was a 3 to 2 win for the Red Devils.
It was such a good game it was hard to believe FIFA ranking of the 2 games are so different.
Belgium is no.3, Japan is 61.
June 28: Japan vs Poland
Japan faced the highest FIFA ranked team in Group H.
Japan does not make any aggressive move during the last 10 minutes of the match hearing Colombia is winning against Senegal
even though it was losing to Poland 0 to 1.
The spectators booed. But the Samurai kept on passing the ball to eachother without trying to move forward.
Poland did not try to go for the ball.
With Colombia's victory, Japan actually ties with Senegal in Group H, but because
Japan was slapped less yellow cards than Senegal, advances to the round of 16.
June 24: Japan vs Senegal
Senegal goaled first at Yekaterinburg Stadium. It's Sadio Mane in the 11th minute.
Then in the 34th minute Takashi Inui's shot curled and went into the goal to equalize.
In the 71th minute, Senegal's Moussa Wague goaled.
Then Keisuke Honda goaled to equalize.
It's his 3rd goal in 3 World Cups.
The teams finished a draw.
Japan has a total 4 points.
June 19: Japan vs Colombia
Just 3 minutes into the game a red card to Carlos Sanchez for using his hand to block the ball.
Shinji Kagawa kicked in the penalty to take the lead.
But in the 39th minute, Colombia gains a free kick and Juan Quintero slips in a goal.
Then it was after Keisuke Honda entered the game and Kagawa left, the energy level of
Samurai Blue seemed to have gone up.
Then Japan earned a corner kick which Honda kicked.
Yuya Osako headed in a goal.
The game ended 2 to 1 for Japan. Japan won 3 points.
It's a revenge against Colombia to which Japan lost in the last World Cup.
PRE 2018 WORLD CUP
vs Paraguay
In Insberg, Austria on June 13, Samurai Blue faced Paraguay which did not qualify for the World Cup.
For the first time, under new manager Akira Nishino, Japan won with an own goal,
Shinji Kagawa's goal to win 4 to 2.
vs Ghana
On May 30, it lost to Ghana 0 to 2.
vs Switzerland
It's the first time Samurai Blue plays a match under new manager Akira Nishino on June 8 in Switzerland.
It lost 0 to 2.
Japan announces national team roster
New manager Akira Nishino announced the roster of 23 players on May 31.
They include veterans Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa, injured but recovering Shinji Okazaki,
Yuto Nagatomo captain Makoto Hasebe, and Maya Yoshida.
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