Blue Samurai spirit: Japan explodes with World Cup joy

Skillful Blue Samurai play with passion, precision, and ambition. Diehard fans of other participating nations would love to see a bit of those sublime footballing virtues in footballers of the teams of their choice.

We will see how Japan fairs against Croatia.

Also Japan has never gotten pass the round of 16 in a world cup.

How about the last World Cup in Russia? "Football experts..."

Japan didn't get past it then either. They never have in 6 attempts.

Maybe at the next world cup they will add better technology to show whether the ball crossed the line or not.

They have the Hawkeye technology for goal-line issues, but only between the sticks. They could probably extend it to the whole goal line, but situations like this are extremely rare.

To come back and win two games in the group stage after going down a goal against two powerhouses shows football in Japan is certainly on the right track.

Agreed. To come back from a goal down against Spain & Germany is something that any team would be proud of.

I'd like the Croats to be sent home so I'm probably gonna support Japan in their next game. Not sure yet though.

Read this on another site, "ITV pundit Graeme Souness questioned if "something untoward" was going on, while Spain manager Luis Enrique claimed images he had seen after the match "must have been manipulated" and "it cannot be that this photo is real". Fifa declined to comment."

I understand there is a lot of talk about whether the ball was in play or not. However after listening to the experts and former professional leagues referees I have come to the conclusion the ball was in play therefore the goal is legit. 100% of the ball has to be completely over the line but in this case its not. The irony of this whole drama is the ball in use at the world cup is made by adidas a German company and its the Germans who had to exit the tournament because of Japan's famous win this morning. Apparently they have installed micro chips in the balls to accurately point out off sides. Maybe at the next world cup they will add better technology to show whether the ball crossed the line or not. Either way awesome performance by Japan who deserve to advance to the top 16. Just shows the win over Germany was not a fluke. To come back and win two games in the group stage after going down a goal against two powerhouses shows football in Japan is certainly on the right track.

Also Japan has never gotten pass the round of 16 in a world cup.

How about the last World Cup in Russia? "Football experts..."

They kept applying pressure on Spain end that causes the goalie to rush disposing of the ball to his team mates where Japan players are waiting, this was how the Doan goal became possible.

Relentless pressure causing their opponents lose momentarily composure. Great strategy specially if your team lack individual ball handling skills. It doesn't matter if your opponent has ball possession majority of the time, what matters is how many goals you score. Well played Japan, well played.

Today  04:19 pm JST “ Ball was out of bounds. “

..

Excuse me; I was just reading this:

“ As stated by Dale Johnson for ESPN, The law is that the the ball is in play "if the curvature of the ball is over the line", irrespective of how small a part of it is.

Despite the Adidas ball for the tournament having motion sensors that can be used to track data and semi-automated offsides amongst other things, it does not have the ability to check whether the ball has gone out.

Instead, it was the goal-line camera which provided the evidence required for the reversal of the decision.

The ball does appear to be overhanging the line - something we often see when players take corner kicks and it looking like it isn't in the quadrant.

That was the grounds for the goal being given and seeing Japan progress to the round of 16 as group winners on six points.

Explaining the call on ITV, former Premier League referee Peter Walton said: "There’s a misconception in law that just because the part of the ball that is on the floor is over the line is out - well it clearly isn’t because it’s the curve of the ball. We see it often with corner kicks where it’s over the line but not quite over the line.

"In this instance, what the VAR is looking for is the evidence to suggest to the referee that the ball has clearly left the field of play and on the evidence that we’re seeing, he doesn’t have that in front of him." “

Japan had 17% ball possession in that game.

True

But the fact that Spain had 83% of the ball and could barely muster 1 goal means one thing. They are rubbish.

Japan had 17% ball possession in that game.

Ball was out of bounds.

VAR says otherwise - get over it !

Beautiful scenes!

If there is one thing Japanese are ALL great at, it's partying in the street! Unbridled emotion, dancing, tears and joy! Hugs and high fives all round...and that's before the beers really start flowing!

The party from Okinawa to Hokkaido once Moriyasu-Japan beat Croatia will be off the charts!!! Bring. It. On.

Out of bounds is not "football."

Being in the same group with Germany and Spain, Japan was not expected to advance. Therefore finishing at the top of the group is indeed a very big achievement. Well done, Japan National Soccer Team!

However, Japan did lose a game which they were expected to win. Also Japan has never gotten pass the round of 16 in a world cup. It is OK to celebrate but do not get too cocky.

[ "Japan are becoming really strong," he added. "We have many members now who are performing at the premier level. We see the quality (of the team) is improving, and now finally they proved it." ]

Partially true.

..

“ Japanese newspapers printed special morning editions that attracted crowds of commuters, with the Yomiuri Shimbun running the headline: "Japan advances to the final 16, Spain destroyed." “

There they are… getting carried away… ;”destroyed”? such a strong word; last time I checked, the result was 2-1, Spain was second and they won’t have to face Brazil; I agree with the yamato damashii part, but I don’t agree that Japan is an unstoppable force and that they’re pulverizing the competition (in this case, Spain); imho, the Japanese media needs to calm down (they should’ve calmed down a long time ago); Japan will still lose many times before being recognized as one of the best national teams in the world; BUT the Samurai Blue are showing that they can be extremely competent and that they’re working hard(!) Congratulations, Samurai Blue and Japan(!) and Good Luck(!) 頑張って！

Ball was out of bounds.

A lot of parties and "Play it Again, Sam" this weekend.

To tell the truth, good on them! when I first saw their group I thought they were done for.