Abe Lauds Japan’s Good Fight in World Cup

July 3, 2018

Tokyo- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised Tuesday the Japanese national soccer team's good fight in a World Cup knockout round match with Belgium despite its failure to make it to quarterfinals.

"They were so close," Abe told reporters. "But I want to say thank you to everyone in the national team for giving us sensations."

In their round-of-16 match in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, the Samurai Blue opened the scoring but was defeated by Belgium 3-2 after suffering a last-minute goal.

Abe also said on Twitter, "I'm profoundly grateful for the national team for doing their best up to the end and moving our hearts."

"Thank you for two dreamy weeks full of excitement!" the prime minister said. Jiji Press