Keisuke Honda was the man to send Japan through to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The CSKA Moscow star slammed home his 91st minute penalty past Mark Schwarzer to force a 1-1 draw with Australia in Saitama which was enough to allow the Blue Samurai to become the first to qualify for the finals.
Honda admitted he was nervous but was absolutely delighted to see his spot-kick fly into the back of the net to spark a raucous response from the Nippon supporters.
"I felt the pressure but I took the penalty full of confidence, and I made it," Honda told FIFA.com.
"I had some personal emotion then But apart from my personal feeling, that goal took Japan to the World Cup, and I'm satisfied with that.
"We dominated the match but could not score the first goal when we had chances.
"Australia were trying to score the goal from their counter-attacks - we had difficulties with them a few times - but both teams had good chances in this match.
"We conceded Australia's first goal in that way, and the game became more difficult, but we did not give up till the end and we finally got this result."
