How did it come to this? Japan, the continental champions were supposed to lead Asia’s charge in Brazil but, perhaps behind only Spain, have been the major disappointment.

It is not the case that if Japan fails then Asia fails but, so far, the world’s biggest continent has also yet to impress, with three points at its own private halfway stage of six games. There is still time and still hope but the way things are going, one of the four getting to the second round would be a cause for relief.

Japan were expected, and expecting, to be in the last 16, at least. A quarter-final target had been talked about but then the Japan Football Association has a long-term plan that includes winning the World Cup by 2050, a time when if they were still facing Greece, they may just have managed a goal. “If you don’t…