Japan have emerged as the giantkillers of Qatar after beating two former champions Germany and Spain in the group stages to reach the Round of 16 for the second consecutive time - first such instance in the country's history.
The Blue Samurai have also been tagged as comeback kings of the tournament as both of their victories arrived from second half goals after coming back from one-goal deficit in the opening half.
They became the first team in history to be losing at half-time and come back to win two matches at the same World Cup since West Germany in 1970.
The strategic changes executed after the break evidently made the difference in the two big games as the substitutions left immediate impact to equalize the margin first, and then winning over both the stronger opponents.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu is a former national midfielder who won the Asian Cup in 1992, and has been coaching for a decade, but the tactical acumen of the 54-year-old never came into such limelight before.
Moriyasu utilized all five substitutions by 75th minute against four-time winners Germany, including bringing in Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano - the former leveled within four minutes of coming off the bench before the latter sealed the winner in the 83rd minute.
Japan have eight players plying their trade in German leagues, but none of them are better than the German counterparts individually on paper.
Collectively however, Japan functioned as a team with an unanticipated strategy and high-pressing style, and also took advantage of the leaky defence of the opponents backed by recent struggles.
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Some can blame Spain for being careless in their final group game and maybe taking Japan lightly as they didn't field their best XI by making five changes from the Germany game.
The Asian side though had their own gameplan to surprise the 2010 champions.
This time it transpired soon after the interval and the replacements left an impression faster than the previous occasion.
Doan and Kaoru Mitoma came on in the 46th minute. They pressed high like they did against Germany and Doan again equalized within three minutes before Mitoma provided assist for Ao Tanaka's winner.
It was perhaps a case of Japan “building its own style” as Moriyasu spoke about previously.
He also admitted that Europe is the “golden standard in the world" but “they must believe in themselves”.
Did he repeat the same words to the substitutes before they entered the pitch?
"At half time, I told the players that things were going to plan and they had done well. We made two substitutions and looked to play on the break. We looked to attack more," he said after beating Spain.
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He added, "We persevered and persisted in the first half, and in the second half, we are able to benefit from that effort."
Moriyasu earlier said they would show the Japanese spirit and pride in the World Cup, and they remained disciplined and organized at the back to maintain the lead for the remainder of the matches.
"All credit to Japan, they have been absolutely outstanding," said former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"There's a lot to be said for being disciplined and structured and understanding your gameplan and executing it as best as you can.
"That methodology and approach throughout the group stage has seen them through to the knockout rounds.
"It was strange that they lost to Costa Rica in the manner that they did, but they put the ball in the back of the net when it mattered."
Strong-willed Japan now aim to make it to the quarterfinals for the first time in history when they face Croatia in the knockouts this Monday.
