Japan’s sizzle hints at red-hot revenge

Revenge, they say, is a dish best served cold. But the reception awaiting Scotland at Yokohama International Stadium on Sunday night promises to be wasabi-grade hot.

Four years after Scotland qualified from the pool stages of the World Cup at Japan’s expense, the Brave Blossoms will have the chance to repay the favour, only this time on home turf with 127 million people willing them on.

A dramatic bonus-point win over Samoa on Saturday sent the hosts back to the top of Pool A. It was an extraordinary finish to what was a nervy game, Kotaro Matsushima crossing for Japan’s fourth try in the 84th minute after Samoa had opted, bizarrely, for a scrum on their own 5m line rather than take a free kick.

That decision backfired when referee Jaco Peyper penalised the Pacific Islanders for a crooked scrum feed. Japan secured the restart, the ball was spun left to Matsushima, who dummied, cut inside and sent the stadium into raptures.

What a decision from Samoa. And from Peyper. It is not often you see a crooked feed penalty these days. More than a few eyebrows were raised. That bonus point could have consequences for Ireland, too. But Japan will not mind. They had looked nervy, struggling perhaps to cope with the pressure where the previous week it had all been on Ireland.

In front of nearly 40,000 vocal but impeccably behaved fans, Jamie Joseph’s team mixed the pace and width they had shown against Ireland with a lot of high balls.

Samoa were in the mood, though, and Japan could never quite get daylight between themselves and their opponents, who were impressive given this was their second game in four days.

Samoa flanker TJ Ioane was sent to the bin for one late challenge on the Japan wing, and while Samoa were down to 14 men, Matsushima broke upfield, starting a passage of play that ended with Timothy Lafaele crossing.

Samoa also lost fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, the victim of a clumsy charge by James Moore.

Samoa coach Steve Jackson was less than impressed with Peyper’s refereeing.

“You could play a game of poker with the amount of cards going out at the moment,” he said. “Lost for words. I agree TJ’s [tackle] was late. But it was shoulder to the chest. Then it is shoulder to the head [against Nanai-Williams] and we lose the player after the HIA.”

Kazuki Himeno became increasingly influential. Japan’s No 8 scored from a perfect driving maul having peeled off the back of a lineout before Samoa hit back again to get within seven points. Japan pulled away at the finish, Kenki Fukuoka finishing off an overlap before the late, late show from Matsushima with that assist from Peyper.

“I’m really proud of our team, especially at the end there,” Joseph said. “The belief in our team has grown and I guess we’ll need it going into next week.”

There remain a mind-boggling array of permutations, particularly if Scotland earn the bonus point they are expected to get against Russia on Wednesday. But it is also simple: win and Japan will qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time in history.

That is what the 70,000 fans inside the stadium — and the 127 million outside — will be willing them to do.