Attack-minded Japan have defied sceptics who said they would flop at the World Cup and instead go into their final group game on Thursday needing just a draw against Poland to reach the last 16.
Japan sacked their coach just two months before the World Cup, throwing their preparations for Russia into chaos.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Following a series of poor friendly results and reported clashes with senior players, the Japan Football Association (JFA) gambled in getting rid of Vahid Halilhodzic and replaced him with JFA technical director Akira Nishino. The move in April was deeply controversial, coming so close to the World Cup.
Philippe Troussier, a former coach of the Asian side, told AFP before the tournament that a team bereft of confidence had "no chance" of reaching the knockout stages.
Japan may still fail to get out of Group H, but they have surpassed expectations and play already eliminated Poland with their fate in their own hands.
Meanwhile, Japanese midfielder Takashi Inui was left to rue what might have been despite scoring one goal and setting up the other as Japan twice fought back from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Senegal in Yeketarinburg on Sunday.
"It was a game we could have won and I think there would have been a different outcome if I had scored a second (with his shot that hit the bar)."
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