and Togo without scoring a single goal. Although the result was widely regarded as a disappointment, the Algerian Football Federation decided to keep Halilhodžić in charge and allow the team to gain more experience. Now focusing on the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Algeria under Halilhodžić secured a spot at the finals tournament on 19 November 2013 having beaten the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Burkina Faso in a two-legged tie on away goals rule following a 3–3 aggregate score in the African qualifying play-offs. This was only the fourth time the country qualified for a World Cup in 32 years. Algeria's performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was a significant surprise as they beat South Korea 4–2 and drew with Russia 1–1 to progress past the group stage for the first time in the team's history. In the round of 16, Les Fennecs had to face a very strong Germany side. Although Algeria put up a very spirited resistance, they lost the game after a goalless 90 minutes, followed by extra time in which Germany scored twice through André Schürrle and Mesut Özil, with substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou pulling back one in the dying moments of the game to make it 1–2. Germany later went on to deliver a historic 7–1 thrashing of hosts Brazil and win their fourth World Cup title. Despite the exit, Algeria's performance was the team's biggest success in history and Halilhodžić was frequently praised for his strategic counter-attacking tactics, calm yet motivating influence on the players, and skillful game management. Although he was offered a contract extension after the tournament, on 7 July 2014 he left the team. Japan On 7 March 2015, it was reported that Halilhodžić would take over as the Japan national team's new manager. He was officially appointed on 12 March, replacing Javier Aguirre, who had been sacked over his involvement in a 2011 match-fixing investigation in Spain. Prior to this appointment, Halilhodžić was one of the shortlisted candidates for managing Bosnia and Herzegovina, but he rejected that offer after having two meetings with the Bosnian Football Association. In June 2016, Halilhodžić's Japan hosted Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2016 Kirin Cup, losing 1–2. In September 2016, the 2018 World Cup qualifying final round was kicked off. Six teams including Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia scramble for two direct qualifying spots. In the first match Japan was unexpectedly beaten