For once, many pundits and fans across the world began to look the way of Japan to spring a surprise win in Qatar. It was only a penalty shoot out you can luckily beat a formidable team like the Samurai Blue.
Japan's Inspiration Make A Loud Statement:, "There's no more Underdogs in World Football!"
Japan’s World Cup campaign will live long in the memory, both for their fans and those of some international football powerhouses.
The Samurai Blue’s remarkable double scalp of Germany and Spain – both world champions in the last 12 years – was the biggest shock of a tournament filled with upsets.
It underlined a theme of the group stage – that the international football playing field is more level now than in years gone by and nothing can be taken for granted.
Ask Argentina, Brazil, Portugal or France, who all suffered surprise group defeats, or Germany, Uruguay, Belgium and Denmark, who went out early.
Japan leave Qatar with their heads held high and as the champions of the underdog.
They are an example that less-fancied nations will follow for years to come, after being given little hope of progression by almost everyone as soon as the group stage draw was made.
