Japan applauds team despite WC exit

TOKYO, June 30 (AP): Japan fans have applauded their national soccer team after its bid to make the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time fell inches short.
Thousands of fans swarmed the streets of Tokyo decked in their blue uniforms in an early morning drizzle, chanting and cheering despite a grueling loss to Paraguay that sent the "Samurai Blue" out of the tournament.
The teams fought to a scoreless draw through extra time, then Japan lost on penalties after defender Yuichi Komano sent his shot just high and it caromed off the crossbar.