Japan Knocked Out Again as Brazil Strike Late in Houston World Cup Clash

HOUSTON (AP): For Japan, the sting of World Cup elimination has become a recurring story.

The Samurai Blue battled until the final whistle on Monday but were sent home from the tournament after Brazil scored a late winner to claim a 2-1 victory. It marked the third consecutive World Cup in which Japan held a lead during the knockout stage and still walked away defeated.

Brazil, winners of the title on five previous occasions, delivered the decisive blow deep into added time. Japan remain without a knockout-round win at a World Cup after suffering a sixth such defeat across their history at the finals.

"We were not able to achieve our goal this time, but then we can aim for the next World Cup or maybe even one after that," Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said through a translator. "We should work towards that goal, which is what we've been doing."

The pattern stretches back across recent tournaments. Four years ago, Japan opened the scoring against Croatia in the round of 16 but eventually lost on penalties. In 2018, they led Belgium 2-0 in the second half of the same stage before conceding three times and falling 3-2 on a goal in stoppage time.

"I don't think history would be gentle to us," Moriyasu said. "But if we are to overcome today, maybe we will see a time where history will change."

On Monday, Japan made a bright start. Kaishu Sano fired them in front in the 29th minute, only for Casemiro to level with a header in the 56th. Gabriel Martinelli then struck the winner late in injury time.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki recorded four saves during a demanding night against one of the tournament's strongest sides. After the defeat, he chose not to field questions in English despite his strong individual display.

Japan have defeated Brazil just once across 15 meetings, with two other contests ending level. Their only win over the South Americans came in a friendly in October.

"The gap between us is closing now," Moriyasu said. "Brazil is a top-tier team and we're definitely approaching that level."

He referenced the disappointment in Qatar four years earlier before adding: "We have to up our game."

Moriyasu said he urged his players after the match to hold on to the frustration they felt and let it fuel their development. He also accepted responsibility for the outcome.

"To win the title was our dream and our goal and we couldn't achieve that," he said. "As a head coach, I told them that I was really sorry that I was not good enough to lead them to that level to achieve that goal."

Back in Japan, supporters still turned out in large numbers to follow the match. Fans gathered at a viewing site near Tokyo Tower even though kick-off finished at around 4 a.m. local time.

"I want to say thanks to the players, who never gave up [NO MATTER] how tough the situation may be," Miyu Hashiguchi said in Japanese after watching the match. "They encouraged me to take on the challenge in life."

Ryutaro Mori, a 20-year-old student, said Japan's performance against elite opposition left him encouraged.

"It means a lot for Japan," Mori said, "that even against a higher-ranked team, we scored the first goal."