India, June 21 -- The FIFA World Cup knockout race has intensified, with several teams having been wrapped up their second group-stage fixture. While some nations have already crashed out, a few have confirmed their berth in the Round of 32. Japan and Brazil are among those who remain in the fray, but look promising to qualify. The two teams have followed a similar path so far, opening the campaign with a draw and registering a statement win in the second game. The Brazil national football team, a five-time World Cup champion, settled for a frustrating draw with Morocco and crushed Haiti for a 3-0 victory.

Meanwhile, the Japan national football team fought back twice to hold Germany to a 2-2 draw. In the second game, the Samurai Blue thu...