1st Team

World Cup | Sakai and Japan eliminated

World Cup
Posted by
Adam Geigerman
On Tuesday 3 July 2018 at 07:33

After holding a strong 2-0 lead just minutes into the second half of the Knockout Round, Hiroki Sakai and Japan fell 3-2 to Belgium via a devastating last-kick-of-the-match goal by the Red Devils.

Japan's Haraguchi (48th) and Inui (52nd) secured the early second-half lead, but the Red Devils grew into the match after falling behind. In six minutes, they came back equalized.

Vertonghen reduced the score before Fellaini scored the second. And as often in this World Cup, it was in added time that, against a the run of play, Chadli concluded the match with a goal to give the Belgians a ticket to the quarter-finals.

While his OM partners resume training on Tuesday morning, Hiroki Sakai will enjoy a few weeks of well-deserved vacation before returning to the Robert Louis-Dreyfus Centre.