Japan's national soccer team returned home on Wednesday having surprised the world with group-stage wins over Germany and Spain in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, eventually exiting in the round of 16 on penalties to Croatia.
Samurai Blue manager Hajime Moriyasu and captain Maya Yoshida, alongside other players such as Ritsu Doan and Junya Ito, were welcomed back by a huge crowd at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture.
Some of Japan's Europe-based players have returned to their clubs.
"With individual skills and team effort, our players proved we can be competitive on the global stage," Moriyasu told reporters at a news conference at a nearby hotel.
Japan advanced to the round of 16 at consecutive World Cups for the first time but fell short of reaching their first quarterfinal.
Defying pretournament odds, Japan topped a tough Group E followed by Spain, while Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated.
