Being the best in Asia is no longer enough for Japan seeking World Cup breakthrough | Jonathan Wilson

Despite missing key players, Hajime Moriyasu’s side have built strength in depth to challenge the traditional order

In 2002 there was a sense that Japan had slightly missed an opportunity. South Korea may have enjoyed the benefit of some favourable refereeing, but they also impressed. They were quick, technically good and tactically extremely flexible and they progressed to the semi-final of their home World Cup.

Japan did not do much wrong, topping their group before going down 1-0 to Turkey in the last 16, but the contrast with their co-hosts was inevitably underwhelming.