A look at why Asia struggled as a whole at this World Cup...
Lack of leadership
When Korean coach Hong Myung-bo went to Netherlands to visit Park Ji-sung in March, he wasn't there to scout potential latter stage opposition but to persuade the PSV Eindhoven man to return from international retire...
Japan will leave their fifth World Cup at the group stages and ESPNFC's John Duerden looks back at their campaign.
One sentence, World Cup recap
The gap between high expectations and the realities of football on the biggest stage was bitterly disappointing.
All team assessments
Group Stage: Australia | Bosnia-Herzegovina | Cameroon | Croatia | Ecuador | England | Ghana | Honduras | Italy | Iran
Ivory Coast | Japan | Portugal | Russia | South Korea | Spain
Round of 16: Algeria | Chile | Greece | Mexico
Nigeria | Switzerland | Uruguay | United States
Quarterfinals: Colombia | France | Belgium | Costa Rica
Semifinals: Brazil | Netherlands
Finalists: Argentina
Winners: Germany
Star Man
It certainly wasn't Shinji Kagaw...
Every World Cup brings a number of players who found life tough with their clubs, yet with the shackles off on the international stage, they show their true, natural ability. Here is our guide to those who have banished their poor club form and replaced it with international glory in Brazil.
Maro...
Posted by Ken Matsushima
After losing 4-1 to Colombia on Tuesday, Japan are heading back home -- after three extremely frustrating World Cup performances -- where they are likely to receive a cold reception. The domestic press seems even more surprised and confused by the Samurai Blue's overall performance than internationa...
If Otto Rehhagel forever goes by the moniker of "King Otto" for masterminding Greece's Euro 2004 triumph, then Fernando Santos is surely deserving of the title of "Portuguese Prince."
This was a career-defining victory for the former Benfica boss, as it was for the oft-maligned Georgios Samaras, as ...
CUIABA, Brazil -- Three thoughts from Colombia's 4-1 win over Japan in the final game of Group C.
Colombia's class shines through
Cruising through with much in hand, Colombia joined the Dutch in exiting the group stage with a perfect record. The tournament so far could not have gone any bette...
