Things are looking incredibly positive for Japan as the World Cup edges closer.
Last month’s 1-0 victories away to Scotland and England extended Samurai Blue’s winning run to five matches, and the team is increasingly comfortable when taking on the best in the world.
The first-ever triumph over England, in particular, will have served as a huge boost to Hajime Moriyasu’s men, with the Three Lions becoming the fourth scalp of a former world champion claimed in recent years, following famous results against Germany and Spain at the previous World Cup and Brazil in a Tokyo friendly last October.