World Cup 2018 | Belgium vs Japan

Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

There was the best of the time and there was the worst of the time, which transpired in a single match, for Japan. Initially they had everything before them: their spirit was so high, their technique was so fine, and they presented so daring a style as to take the game to their opponent.

Not long after the second half got under way, a through ball found a Japanese forward in a position facing the Belgian goalkeeper slightly sideways. Then a perfect finishing, and an expected goal was gained.

Not long after the one-goal lead, another Japanese, the very best one, thumped a wonderful shot into the net, seemingly leaving any spectator dumbstruck. Till now the Japanese had carried the hour of feeling and amazement. The ball at their feet had been rolled with sheer smoothness down the field and sheer accuracy toward the opponent’s goal. Some superlatives for the Blue Samurai probably occurred to some people, some romantic thoughts probably had been formed, some excitement obviously had been reached.

Whereupon the Belgian fell into certain confusion and found themselves floundering in their moves and in their passing. The two-goal lead notwithstanding, the Japanese still pushed themselves forward and toward the other side. For them, attacking seemed to be another way of defending, just as some Dutch man once put it several decades ago. Many of a fan began to think of another earthquake caused by another minnow's feat, besides the one for the German. Still, the remaining time was much enough for the Belgian to pull themselves together and conduct some strikes. They did strike, vehemently.

The old school seems never old. Sending square balls to seek for headers was the best way to get over the disciplined Japanese defensive line, taking advantage of Japan’s weakness in physicality. Eventually the Belgian made it in their great comeback, partly thanks to Japan’s insistently pressing and attacking mentality which later in the game lowered their stamina considerably.

Why were the Japanese determined to play that style instead of just sitting back in front of their goal, holding the ball as long as possible, waiting for the time to be consumed up? Maybe they wanted to have a triumphant win against a powerful force, just to prove themselves to be a competent side in the tournament. Maybe they just followed their so passionate lifeblood as to let themselves flow forward along the ball and play away any pragmatic constraint on their part. Whether the reason is this or that, their composure and hard team-work and inspiringly exciting style, the most so far in this tourney, really truly made the day of mine and, I suppose, of many others. What the game, what the prowess Japan showed out there, in the echoing green with their whole heart.