Slay Spain we must

Do you smell victory?: Japan’s Ritsu Doan (right) and Costa Rica’s Yeltsin Tejeda challenge for the ball during their match on Sunday. — AP

JAPAN coach Hajime Moriyasu believes his team still have a shot at the last 16 of the World Cup and can even beat former champions Spain, despite their dismal 1-0 defeat to a Costa Rica side that let in seven goals in their opening match.

The four-time Asian champions, who stunned Germany with a 2-1 win in their Group E opener, spurned a perfect chance to advance to the next phase on Sunday with a match remaining, conceding late on to a team that scored with their first shot on target of the Qatar World Cup.