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SCMP Reporter

Japan’s “Ferraris” hit top gear Sunday as the hosts beat Scotland 28-21 in a barnstorming Rugby World Cup clash to create history by reaching the quarter-finals.
Rampaging wingers Kotaro Matsushima and Kenki Fukuoka did the damage for Japan, who survived a late fightback in Yokohama to advance as pool A winners along with Ireland.
The Brave Blossoms will face two-time world champions South Africa in Tokyo next weekend after making it a perfect four wins out of four, roared on by a crowd of 67,000.
Fukuoka, scorer of Japan’s try in their 19-12 upset over Ireland, grabbed two more in Yokohama with Matsushima notching his fifth of the tournament for the rampant Japanese.


After a war of words between the rival coaches in the build-up, the teams observed a moment’s silence for the victims of the violent typhoon that swept through Japan on Saturday, killing at least 26 and forcing organisers to scrap three pool games.
The needle between the sides quickly resurfaced in Sunday’s typhoon-threatened pool A decider, however, as both teams put in some monstrous early tackles.


Scotland needed to win while preventing Japan from securing a defensive bonus point – and they got off to a flying start.
Early pressure told as fly-half Finn Russell broke through to give them the lead after just seven minutes.


But the Japanese hit back quickly with Matsushima latching onto a superb, one-handed offload from Fukuoka to score his fifth try of the tournament.


Even better was to come from the hosts with a dazzling move straight out of a basketball playbook, quick hands between Shota Horie and William Tupou releasing loosehead prop Keita Inagaki to crash over.
On the stroke of half-time, the jet-heeled Fukuoka plucked a high-bouncing Timothy Lafaele grubber kick out of the air to leave Scotland with a mountain to climb.
Fukuoka then produced a moment of solo brilliance moments into the second half, stripping the ball from Chris Harris before accelerating clear.
Scotland, who had bounced back from a 27-3 drubbing by Ireland to smash Samoa 34-0 and Russia 61-0, looked out of it.


When WP Nel and Zander Fagerson bulldozed over in the space of five minutes, suddenly the Japanese were creaking.
But they stood firm in the face of a late barrage to avenge a 45-10 defeat by Scotland that cost them a place in the knockout stages of the 2015 World Cup.
That team, led by Eddie Jones, won three matches, including a breathless 34-32 victory over South Africa in their opening game.
Japan’s current vintage thrashed Russia 30-10 and Samoa 38-19 either side of their massive win over Ireland and coach Jamie Joseph will relish the chance to have another crack at the Springboks.




Rugby World Cup: Japan beat Scotland in Yokohama thriller to qualify for last-eight and set up showdown with South Africa

Japan celebrate Keita Inagaki’s try against Scotland. Photo: Reuters

‘They speak the language and know our customs’: Japan embraces foreign-born players during Rugby World Cup as nation struggles with demographic shift

Japan's Michael Leitch, a native of New Zealand, symbolizes the diversity within the national rugby team. Photo: AFP

Hiromichi Moteki, the acting secretary general of the Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact.

TOPSHOT - Children perform a haka in front of New Zealand's players during a fans event at Kashiwanoha Park Stadium in Kashiwa, Chiba prefecture on September 14, 2019 ahead of the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup which begins on September 20. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

TOPSHOT - A young Japan fan cheers on the team before the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Japan and Russia at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on September 20, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Japan's fans on the third and final day of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on April 08, 2018. 08APR18 R7 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Japan fans celebrate after Japan won the 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Japan and Ireland, at a "fanzone" area in Tokyo on September 28, 2019. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)

Kotaro Matsushima and his electric play is leading Japan forward both on and off the pitch

Japan wing Kotaro Matsushima (centre) in action against Ireland in the pool A match at the Rugby World Cup in Shizuoka. Photo: AFP

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Japan Captain's Run - Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Fukuroi, Japan, September 27, 2019 - Japan's Kotaro Matsushima during training. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Rachel Robinson acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Japan player Kotaro Matsushima speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 2, 2019, three days before a Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Samoa. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a return during her women's singles quarter-final match against Bianca Andreescu of Canada at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on October 4, 2019. (Photo by NOEL CELIS / AFP)

Sport

Rugby


Hosts run out 28-21 winners
Japan make history as first Asian team to reach quarter-finals of RWC



Japan run out 28-21 winners and make history as first Asian team to reach quarter-finals of RWC.


Rugby World Cup: Japan beat Scotland in Yokohama thriller to qualify for last-eight and set up showdown with South Africa

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Hosts run out 28-21 winners Japan make history as first Asian team to reach quarter-finals of RWC

Hosts run out 28-21 winners

Japan make history as first Asian team to reach quarter-finals of RWC