Japan return home after World Cup exit

NARITA, Japan -- Kyodo Japan's national team returned home Wednesday after surprise the world with group-stage wins over Germany and Spain in the World Cup in Qatar, eventually exiting Croatia in the round of 16 on penalties.

Samurai Blue manager Hajime Moriyasu and captain Maya Yoshida were welcomed back by a huge crowd at Narita Airport near Tokyo, along with other players such as Ritsu Doan and Junya Ito.

Some of the players in Japan returned to their clubs in Europe.

Moriyasu told a press conference at a nearby hotel that they showed that they can be competitive on the global stage with individual skills and team effort.

Japan advanced to the round of 16 at consecutive World Cups for the first time, but fell short of reaching their first quarter-final.

Japan topped Group E despite pre-tournament odds, while Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated.