Keisuke Honda says that the results so far of Asian teams at the World Cup are a simple reflection of how far they are lagging behind the global elite in terms of ability, but the AC Milan midfielder still believes a miracle will send Japan through to the knockout phase of the competition.
Having only taken a point from two games so far after a 2-1 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire and a 0-0 draw against 10-man Greece, Japan is on the brink of elimination going into its final Group C game on Tuesday against Colombia in Cuiaba.
Not only do the Asian champions need to beat the South Americans, who have already booked their place in the last 16, they also need a favorable outcome from the other Group C match between Cote d'Ivoire (three points) and Greece (one).