Japan fall 2–1 to Brazil, Asia's World Cup fades with Saudi regret

Japan pushed Brazil all the way in a 2–1 loss in the last 32, but that only sharpens the contrast with Saudi Arabia's World Cup. Asia's bracket has been thin. Japan, the continent's last hope, are out, and the gap between that fight and a group-stage exit sealed by a 0–0 draw with Cape Verde is uncomfortably wide. The federation president has already resigned. Saudi Pro League clubs are still spending aggressively on names like Hadj Moussa and Spertsyan, but the national team's tournament told a different story.