Japan went from leading 2-0 at the beginning of the second half, to losing 3-2, conceding their last goal in the final minute of stoppage time.

“Throughout the tournament I was happy with my team, because it played with confidence, it played well… They gave more than everything. After we started to lose I began to doubt myself and only blamed myself. I lost control, and I think we must not blame the players, it is my fault,” Nishino told journalists.

Japan were eliminated from the World Cup, while Belgium will play Brazil in the quarter-final match in Kazan on Friday.