World Cup 2018: 5 underdogs to cheer for

#3 Japan

Japan shoulders Asia's brightest hope of a good showing

Coach: Akira Nishino | Preferred system 4-3-3 | Group H

FIFA Ranking: 60 | Key players: Maya Yoshida, Yosuke Ideguchi, Keisuke Honda

Best WC performance Round of 16 (2002, 2010)

Opening Round Opponents: Colombia (June 19) | Senegal (June 24) | Poland (June 28)

In a bold move, Japan sensationally sacked their Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic in the lead-up to the cup in favour of Akira Nishino. Japan have been Asian footballing powerhouses for far too long, but have fallen short of their own expectations at the world stage way too often. The Japanese have reached the World Cup every time since first making it in 1998. Japan is also in one of the 4 groups that has the potential to turn into the group of death. The Samurai Blues are in a group with no runaway favourites despite the presence of Poland and their unreasonably high ranking.