Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2014

While the Japan Football Association (JFA) struggled for decades to become competitive, playing mostly against Southeast Asian countries and clubs paid handsomely for their presence, archrivals South Korea flourished in the 1980s with regular World Cup appearances.

All of this changed in 1992 with the founding of the J.League, the country’s first professional soccer competition. As the league expanded and clubs continued to improve their youth systems, it was only a matter of time before Japan’s emergence as a team able to compete with the best of Europe and South America.

The squad that will take the field at Recife’s Arena Pernambuco on June 14 (June 15, 10am JST)  represent not only Japan’s success in the soccer world, but also its many struggles along the way.

Metropolis looks at some of the highlights (and lowlights) of Samurai Blue’s pursuit of football glory.

1993: Japanese fans feel the Agony of Doha

Japan’s first-ever Asian Cup title in 1992 riveted the nation, but what the country’s long-suffering fans really hoped for was a trip to the United States for their first-ever World Cup appearance.

Needing a win against Iraq on the final day of Asian qualifying on October 28, 1993, Japan went into the final ten minutes with a 2-1 lead courtesy of two players who would become the country’s greatest soccer icons, Kazuyoshi Miura and Masashi Nakayama.

But a late corner kick for Iraq turned into a goal by Jaffar Omran Salman, causing the match to end at 2-2 and tragically eliminating Japan from qualifying. Known as the “Agony of Doha,” this iconic loss would become ingrained in the hearts and minds of fans for years to come.

1997: A nation revels in the Joy of Johor Bahru

After being awarded co-hosting duties with South Korea for the 2002 tournament, an appearance in France ’98 would allow Japan to put its best foot forward. But the team struggled in the final round of qualifying, forcing the ouster of manager Shu Kamo after a second-place finish in the group forced a one-legged playoff showdown with Iran. His replacement, assistant Takeshi Okada, would oversee the Samurai Blue’s trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, for a match that would determine Asia’s final representatives.

The team was joined by thousands of Samurai Blue supporters, who erupted in joy when Masayuki Okano’s golden goal in extra time booked Japan’s first World Cup appearance.

1998: Japan wins hearts, if not games, in WC debut

Little was expected of Japan in its first World Cup appearance. On the pitch the team managed respectable 0-1 losses to powerhouses Argentina and Croatia, as well as the country’s first World Cup goal courtesy of Masashi Nakayama in a 2-1 loss to Jamaica. In the stands, thousands of Japan supporters contributed to an incredible atmosphere, surprising observers who were completely unaware of soccer’s growing popularity in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The winless side returned home to a mixed reception, including an infamous incident at Narita Airport in which fans threw drinks at striker Shoji Jo. It was as good an indication as any that Japanese fans had begun to inherit not only the iconography used by their European peers, but also their tendency to have a short memory.