Back in 2005, Saburo Kawabuchi, then the president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), pledged that there would be a World Cup win by 2050. Given the strides that have been taken in the past 30 years in the country, it is certainly not impossible that the trophy could end up in Tokyo before the 21st century passes the halfway mark. But while a long-term goal is good to have, there are always going to be twists and setbacks to be dealt with along the way.

This is such a time. JFA House sits on...

I would like to do it. I was tempted, I controlled myself, sat on my hands, held my breath and closed my eyes. I want stick my neck out for him. I'm tempted to do it. I want to but can't. I can but don't want to. It's a tricky situation.

There are two things at stake here. The most important thing is his credibility as a person, as a man, and as a father. But also a powered reputation earned on the field as a soccer player and coach and a situation where he could even be put in jail.

My perception...

As he sank to his knees on the Sydney turf following his missed penalty for Japan against the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinal of the 2015 Asian Cup, Shinji Kagawa's face wore a look of confusion and anguish. Japan had dominated but had been eliminated.

For the player, it goes a little deeper than that. The Samurai Blue had won the tournament four years ago but Kagawa left at the semifinal stage thanks to a broken metatarsal. This time, he played until the bitter end but exited even earlier.

AFC ASIAN CUP - AUSTRALIA 2015

- Duerden: Was this the best Asian Cup ever?
- Brooks: Brave Australia win maiden title
- Australia win first title defeating South Korea
- Wise: Milligan stars for Australia in the final
- Parkin: Son tops South Korea ratings
- Asian Cup Team of the Tournament

Yet...

You never want to see the defending champions exit a tournament quietly, and for Japan, the side that has won four of the last six Asian Cups, this was a departure fitting their stature.

Were it not for the incredible Iran/Iraq quarterfinal that finished just seconds before this game, this remarkable clash in Sydney would have easily ranked as the tournament's most dramatic match.

How Japan, almost unbackable favourites, contrived to not win this encounter is the stuff of legend.

Mustering just...

It was a day of upsets as four-time champions Japan followed three-time winners Iran out of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, both losing their quarterfinals on penalties.

After Iraq eliminated Iran in Canberra, United Arab Emirates knocked out Javier Aguirre's Samurai Blue 5-4 in Sydney with the game locked at 1-1 after regular and extra time.

Japan

United Arab Emirates

(4) 1

(5) 1

FT

Game Details

• Lineups and Stats

Here are three points from the game at Stadium Australia:

1. UAE cap off stunning day

When Iraq took the lead twice in extra time against Asia's highest ranked team...

Japan have stamped their authority on the Asian Cup and have emerged as the firm tournament favourite after a dominant 2-0 triumph against Jordan in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

Here are three points from the match:

Japan

Jordan

2

0

FT

Game Details

• Lineups and Stats

1. Classy Japan peaking at the right time

Japan's superstar status preceded them, with a sell-out crowd and huge media contingent descending on Melbourne's busy sports precinct, as Australian Open tennis also drew a crowd across the road.

The Samurai Blue started strongly and grew in...