This is lively, even if both sides are struggling to execute at the business end of the pitch so far. Lomano Lemeki bashes his way through several tackles but quick ball from scrum-half Yutaka Nagare in intercepted.

Powerful, driving maul from Samoa and it sends the Japan defence sprawling backwards.

The offload goes loose, Japan clear and then full-back Tim Nanai-Williams' return kick finds touch on the full. A bit of relief for Japan after some heavy Samoan pressure.

Brilliant. Kotaro Matsushima goes 0-60 in a split second to lift the Toyota crowd to their feet as he hits a gap in the Samoa defensive line.

A heavy hand reaches out and just taps the winger's ankle to send him tumbling. Almost...

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

We know Samoa for being powerful ball carriers but lessons appear to have been learned and they are actually implementing the right game plan on Japan.

Henry Taefu makes no mistakes. Four penalties kicked in the opening 15 minutes, two a piece.

Chris Vui is felled 30 metres out but Samoa keep it alive, they're starting to find a footing in this game.

Michael Alaalatoa is knocked back but the prop manages to recycle and Henry Taefu drops into the pocket - he looks for the drop goal, and it slips short and wide.

That's a free shot though, it'll be brought back for a Samoa penalty in front of the posts.

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

It's a game of chess right now. They are both moving their pawns into position and it's a very open match so far.

Can you keep up with this penalty count?

Now it's Japan's turn to shell some points. A superb Samoan turnover draws a penalty from their hosts and Henry Taefu steps up to punt one between the sticks - only the centre's second kick for his country. Cool as the iced cucumbers found in Japanese mini marts.

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Japan are in control in the early exchanges. Samoa need to strike soon or this scoreboard will get away from them.

Samoa's ill-discipline is costing them here.

Another infringement hands Yu Tamura a chance to double Japan's lead and the fly-half is right on the money.

So close!

Lomano Lemeki spots some daylight down the wing and accelerates beyond a cluster of blue shirts from inside his own half.

The winger squirms one way and then steps the other, but that's great scrambling defence from Samoa to bring him down several metres short of the line.

Yu Tamura splits the sticks.

Perfect start for the Brave Blossoms.

Clean first line-out for the hosts and Tamura tests Samoan hands with a high boot into the sky.

Japan have it back, working it left and then right before hooker Atsushi Sakate is gobbled up.

But that will be a penalty, and an early shot at goal?

Right then, here we go...

Japan's Yu Tamura gets this one under way.

Not quite as spine-tingling as Samoa's post-match Siva Tau, mind.

If that doesn't get you pumped...

Anyone else love national anthem time? Any World Cup, any sport... the pride, passion and anticipation on players' faces is just brilliant. There's more than 40,000 people belting out the Japanese anthem at the City of Toyota Stadium.

If the surprise win over Ireland last weekend was a free hit, then this is where it gets serious for Japan if they're to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time...

The Brave Blossoms will move back to the top of Pool A and into pole position if they beat Samoa, a result which would end the Pacific Islanders' hopes of qualification.

A Samoa victory would blow the group wide open by moving them ahead of Scotland and level on points with Japan in third, while a bonus-point win would take them into second and the last qualification spot.

If Japan win then Scotland would have to beat the Brave Blossoms in a crunch final game on 13 October to progress, with bonus points likely to come into play.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's hotting up as the players take to the pitch in Toyota. Fancy this one to have a cracking atmosphere...

The Samoa squad received a special guest this week when Prime Minister Aiono Sailele visited the team's training camp.

"It was good having him there telling stories," said forward Chris Vui.

"He spoke to us with a full heart and told some funny jokes just to keep the mood nice and chilled. Then he gave us some words of encouragement leading up to Japan, so it was good.

"After that Scotland game we still have belief in what we're trying to do. Japan is in our way but it's just another team we've got to get past to make that play-off."