Japan keen to end South American jinx

PRETORIA - Japan may never have a better opportunity to bring Asia's woeful World Cup record against South American opposition to an end than when they face Paraguay in the second round in Pretoria on Tuesday.

No Asian team has ever beaten a South American side at the World Cup. Of the 10 encounters between the continents, South America have won eight times with two games drawn - DPR Korea vs Chile 1-1 in 1966 and Republic of Korea v Bolivia 0-0 in 1994.

However, Japan's flying form in the group stage this time around makes them strong candidates to break that jinx and qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time.