Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Kengo Nakamura admits he is grateful for his World Cup experience with the Japanese national team.

The 29-year old came on as a second-half substitute in the Blue Samurai's ill-fated Round of 16 clash with Paraguay but said the knowledge of playing in a World Cup will serve him well.

"This was my first game at a World Cup and I can only be grateful for the opportunity," he said.

"I'm sorry if I failed in my mission to help my team win the match. This experience is very important for my future development, and will no doubt prove very valuable when we go to the next World Cup in four years' time."