Turkey ended the World Cup dreams of Japan with a disciplined 1-0 defeat of the co-hosts today.
Japan's hopes fizzled out in the rain against a well-organised but unspectacular Turkish team, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history and will take on another surprising qualifier, Senegal, in Osaka on Saturday.
Japan never recovered after conceding a goal after 12 minutes at the Miyagi World Cup Stadium.
Umit Davala was left completely unmarked by the Japanese defence at a corner, allowing him to head Ergun Penbe's kick firmly past goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki.
Japan came closest to an equaliser when their Brazilian-born midfielder Alex sent a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area crashing against the crossbar five minutes before half-time.
AFP