‘WC starts from now’

Japan have already scripted one of the best stories of the World Cup with comeback victories over former champions Germany and Spain but Takuma Asano says they have not achieved anything yet.

Winger Asano scored a brilliant winner in the Germany win that kickstarted Japan's campaign but that was followed by a shock reverse at the hands of Costa Rica in their second group game. Another upset against Spain, however, sent Japan into the last 16 as group winners.

"Even though we didn't win them all, I think the most important thing is that we made it through the group stage," Asano told reporters on Saturday. "Now I started feeling it's becoming a great World Cup. But we haven't achieved anything yet, so honestly speaking, I think everything starts from now."