Japan boss Takeshi Okada has urged his team to play for Asia when they take on Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.

The Blue Samurai are now the only Asian nation left in the World Cup following South Korea's loss to Uruguay on Saturday and Okada believes it is important to represent the pride of the Asian continent.

"South Korea delivered a great performance and it is a real shame that they could not win," Okada told reporters.

"I think they have more than proved that they can cut it on the world stage.

"As the only Asian team now we have to play with (continental) pride on the line and we will try our best to beat Paraguay."