Society | Jul 04

World Cup: Japan captain Makoto Hasebe retires from national team

Jul 04 (Kyodo) - Japan captain Makoto Hasebe announced Tuesday he is retiring from the national team, a day after Samurai Blue were knocked out of the Russia World Cup by Belgium.

Hasebe took to social media to make the announcement, posting on Instagram that it is time for him to "end my time with the national team."

"Playing for the national team is different from club teams in that the players don't know when or who will be selected. So I understand I'm being self-centered by announcing this," the 34-year-old who finishes his career with 114 matches in Japan colors said.

Just a day earlier, Hasebe led Japan in a heartbreaking 3-2 round-of-16 loss to Belgium. The team gave up a two-goal second-half lead before allowing Belgian substitute Nacer Chadli to net the winner in the 94th minute.

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