ZCZC
BSP-01
BELGIUM-JAPAN-WC
Belgium defeat Japan 3-2 to face Brazil in FIFA WC quarterfinals
ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 3, 2018 (BSS/TASS)- Belgium have defeated Japan 3-2 to advance to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. The match was played on Monday night in Rostov-on-Don.
The goals were scored by Japan’s Genki Haragichi (48′) and Takashi Inui (52′), and Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen (69′), Marouane Fellaini (74′) and Nacer Chadli (90’+4′).
Now, Belgium will play their quarterfinals match vs Brazil who edged Mexico 2-0 earlier in the day. The game will be played in Kazan on July 6.
Two more quarterfinals matches will be played between Uruguay and France in Nizhny Novgorod on July 6 and between Russia and Croatia in Sochi on July 7.
Haraguchi scored Japan’s first goal in World Cup playoffs.
Team Japan have twice made it to the quarterfinals: in 2002, when they lost to Turkey 0-1, and in 2010, when they were defeated by Paraguay 3-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in the main match and extra time.
It was the sixth encounter between Belgium and Japan (both won two matches and two games ended in a draw) and their second match at world championships.
In 2002, their match ended in a 2-2 draw.
BSS/TASS/AU/07:05 hrs