When Japan clinched a berth for the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifying last July in Taiwan, Nick Fazekas said that the Akatsuki Five had accomplished their mission.

On Sunday night, that statement felt truer than ever.

One day after they clinched a berth for this summer's World Cup with a lopsided 96-48 win over Qatar in Doha, Japan's men's national team made a triumphant return home.