Japan Stuns Scotland by 28-21, Reach Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter-Finals; Observes Silence For Typhoon Hagibis Victims

Yokohama, October 13: Japan's "Ferraris" hit top gear Sunday as the hosts beat Scotland 28-21 in a barnstorming Rugby World Cup clash to create history by reaching the quarter-finals.

Rampaging wingers Kotaro Matsushima and Kenki Fukuoka did the damage for Japan, who survived a late fightback in Yokohama to advance as Pool A winners along with Ireland. Japan vs Scotland Rugby World Cup 2019:Twitter Lauds Home Team Victory, As They Become 1st Asian Team To Enter Quarter-Final.

The Brave Blossoms will face two-time world champions South Africa in Tokyo next weekend after making it a perfect four wins out of four, roared on by a crowd of 67,000.

Fukuoka, scorer of Japan's try in their 19-12 upset over Ireland, grabbed two more in Yokohama with Matsushima notching his fifth of the tournament for the rampant Japanese.

After a war of words between the rival coaches in the build-up, the teams observed a moment's silence for the victims of the violent typhoon that swept through Japan on Saturday, killing at least 26 and forcing organisers to scrap three pool games.

The needle between the sides quickly resurfaced in Sunday's typhoon-threatened Pool A decider, however, as both teams put in some monstrous early tackles.

"For my team, the whole World Cup, we've prepared really, really well. They've put their bodies on the line every weekend," said Japan coach Jamie Joseph, who has compared his players to Ferraris.

"But tonight they went another level I felt. They gave everything they possibly could -- everyone gave 150 percent and that's what it takes to win big Test matches."

Scotland needed to win while preventing Japan from securing a defensive bonus point -- and they got off to a flying start.

Early pressure told as fly-half Finn Russell broke through to give them the lead after just seven minutes.

- Fukuoka brilliance -

But the Japanese hit back with Matsushima latching onto a superb, one-handed offload from Fukuoka to score his fifth try of the tournament.

Even better was to come from the hosts with a dazzling move straight out of a basketball playbook, quick hands between Shota Horie and William Tupou releasing loosehead prop Keita Inagaki to crash over.

On the stroke of half-time, Fukuoka plucked a high-bouncing Timothy Lafaele grubber out of the air to leave Scotland with a mountain to climb.

Man of the match Fukuoka then produced a moment of solo brilliance moments into the second half, stripping the ball from Chris Harris before accelerating clear.

Scotland, who had bounced back from a 27-3 drubbing by Ireland to smash Samoa 34-0 and Russia 61-0, looked out of it.

When WP Nel and Zander Fagerson bulldozed over in the space of five minutes, suddenly the Japanese were creaking.

But they withstood a late barrage to avenge a 45-10 defeat by Scotland that cost them a place in the knockout stages of the 2015 World Cup.

"We gave it a good crack in the second half but when you leak 28 points, you're always going to be chasing the game," said Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw.

"But you've got to give Japan credit. They've really improved since four years ago."

That Japan team, led by Eddie Jones, won three pool matches, including a breathless 34-32 victory over South Africa in their opening game.

Japan's current vintage thrashed Russia 30-10 and Samoa 38-19 either side of their massive win over Ireland, and Joseph will relish the chance to have another crack at the Springboks next weekend.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 13, 2019 07:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).