Rugby: Japan close in on q'finals with win over Samoa english.kyodonews.net

(Kenki Fukuoka of Japan runs with the ball on his way to score a try.)
(Kotaro Matsushima (L) of Japan fends off a Samoa player.)
Following that ideal start, however, Japan went off the boil, and two penalties from Henry Taefu saw the sides level with 15 minutes on the clock.
A third penalty from Tamura saw Japan regain the lead but with the crowd strangely muted, the Brave Blossoms needed something to fire them up.
Japan, however, dug deep, with replacements such as Fumiaki Tanaka and Isileli Nakajima and Fukuoka imposing themselves on the game.