Japan will have to wait until its next game against Poland to secure a ticket to the knock-out stages of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Despite falling behind in their game against Senegal, the Samurai Blue fought tenaciously to secure a 2-2 draw on Sunday night in their second group-stage game, giving Japan supporters hope the team will qualify for the elimination stage in the next game.
Midfielder Takashi Inui leveled the score in the first half, finishing an attack launched by midfielder Gaku Shibasaki.
"Shibasaki brought the game together with a solid pass and contributed to the team," said an 18-year-old college freshman from Tama, Tokyo, who was watching the game wearing a jersey bearing Shibasaki's name.
Senegal retook the lead in the second half but Japan never looked like giving up. Forward Shinji Okazaki created space in the penalty box, where he tangled with the Senegalese defense, allowing midfielder Keisuke Honda to secure a draw in the 78th minute.
Okazaki's mother said: "Providing opportunities is typical of Shinji's game. I want him to run all over the field in the next game against Poland, too."
Japan was bustling with excitement on the day.
"The strength of the veteran players and the young players merged. I was particularly encouraged by [Genki] Haraguchi, because he has the same first name as me, and for his relentless charges forward."
About 50 people gathered in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, to support the Senegalese team, following a call by a nonprofit organization of Senegalese in Japan and the Senegalese Embassy in Japan.
"I want both teams to do their best in the next game, to make it to the next stage," said organization head Diagne Mansour, 54.
Picking up trash
Images of Japanese soccer fans cleaning up the stands after World Cup games have impressed the rest of the world, and this time they were joined by supporters of the Senegalese team.
British media asked defender Maya Yoshida at a Saturday press conference why Japanese fans clean up, and he replied, "There's a saying in Japan that we must leave things cleaner than it was at the time we came to a place."
A 40-year-old Senegalese supporter who was offering a helping hand said with a smile: "I learned via online news about Japanese people cleaning up [after games]. I think all supporters should follow suit."
A 49-year-old woman from Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, said: "I've collected trash at all the World Cup tournaments that Japan has played in. I'm glad that our efforts have been recognized worldwide."
'Sorry, Honda'
"Honda-san [Mr. Honda.] I'm sincerely sorry."
Many expressions of apology and gratitude to Honda were posted online after the midfielder secured the 2-2 draw against Senegal, making him the first Japanese player to score in three World Cups in a row. Honda also provided a valuable assist in the previous game against Colombia.
Honda was not in the best shape before the start of the World Cup, and criticism and mockery of him filled Twitter even before Japan's second game. After he tapped in the equalizer in the latter half of the game, however, attitudes changed completely, with an avalanche of tweets saying things like "Honda-san, a man who produces results. I'm very sorry," or "You really have something special. Thank you!"
"Honda-san" and "Keisuke Honda" were temporarily among the most-tweeted words.
The national team led by coach Takeshi Okada in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, also had poor expectations, but once the team made it to the final 16, tweets like "Sorry, Oka-chan" appeared one after another. Apologies to current Japan coach Akira Nishino appeared after his team won its first match in Russia.
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