Takeshi Okada's side had lost five of their previous six games and only scored nine goals in 12 World Cup matches.

BBC: Denmark 1-3 Japan

Japan coach Takeshi Okada had targeted a semi-final place before the tournament.

BBC: Paraguay 0-0 Japan (5-3 pens)

Japan appointed Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni after Takeshi Okada stood down in July, having taken the "Blue Samurai" into the second round of football's biggest tournament before losing on penalties to Paraguay.

CNN: Syria shock Saudi Arabia at Asian Cup; Japan snatch draw