Matsuda - adventure just beginning (Allsport).

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Naoki Matsuda has promised the Japanese fans their World Cup adventure has just begun as they prepare for the biggest game in the country's history.

Matsuda and his team-mates have written chapter after chapter into Japan's footballing folklore at this tournament.

But the defender insists they are not settling for just qualifying from the group phase for the first time when they face Turkey on Tuesday.

"Although I am relieved that we achieved our initial goal, our real challenge starts here," he said.

"I think we have chances to win more games, so we will do our best not to waste those chances."

Japan came into the World Cup having lost all three games at their only previous finals at France '98.

But they picked up their first point in the opening game against Belgium and then their first victory in the next match with Russia.

By the time they beat Tunisia last Friday to progress as Group H winners, the country was riding high on a wave of euphoria.

With the victors of Tuesday's tie in Miyagi facing Senegal in the last eight, Japan have a genuine chance to make the semi-finals - an unheard of achievement before the World Cup started 17 days ago.

And midfielder Tomakazu Myojin admitted the prospect of that can be frightening.

"I am very excited about us getting this far, and the country being so excited, even if it is a little scary," he said.

"But now that we are in the second phase I have a feeling of satisfaction, but also of excitement at the challenges which lie ahead."