Justin Rose had been looking forward to playing with Nick Faldo in the EMC World Cup in Mexico this week.

It was a chance for the 22-year-old to spend quality time with a 45-year-old who has accomplished most, if not all of the things he wants to achieve.

Then Faldo announced two weeks ago he was pulling out of the trip to Mexico to rest an elbow.

But Paul Casey, another of Europe's young guns, proved himself an able deputy as England finished joint third with a 30-under-par total of 258.

Japan's Toshimitsu Izawa and Shigeki Maruyama ended a 45-year drought for their country when they clinched the crown on a dramatic final afternoon at Vista Vallarta.

They carded a closing foursomes round of 66 to finish with a 36-under-par total of 252, two clear of Americans Phil Mickelson and David Toms, Korea sharing third place with England's young guns.

Rose said: "It was a bit disappointing Nick had to withdraw as it would have been nice to play with the old master and pick up some tips.

"But I'm good mates with Paul and we had a lot of fun.

"We practise together on tour and also play a similar style of game, so that held us in good stead, plus Paul played in the World Cup last year, so he knew what to expect."

Mickelson and Toms had charged to the head of the field when Japan double bogeyed the 13th but Izawa and Maruyama re-grouped and hit back with birdies on the 16th and 17th to draw level playing the last.

For 71 holes, the United States had played flawless golf without a single bogey on the card.

But all that changed when Toms, faced with a 130-yard shot to the front of the green from the right rough, pulled his six iron into the water hazard to the left of the green from which they could do no better than a double-bogey six.

Japan, watching the drama unfold from the fairway in the group behind, were back in front and duly made a par on the last to win the title for the first time since 1957.

As for Rose and Casey, their challenge for the title ended when the latter hit his tee shot at the eighth into the heavy stuff.

Although they managed to recover and make par, it was like two shots dropped as they had eagled the hole on the first three days.

Rose said: "We both tried really hard on the final day but, at only one-under, we knew after failing to make our usual move just before the turn that we couldn't win.

"It was then a matter of playing for the higher places and doing England as proud as possible.

"Overall, it was a great finish, but I think we could have challenged for the lead had we played the back nine a bit better in the fourballs.

"With so many birdies from all the teams, par wasn't good enough and we had to keep our foot to the floor all the time and it just didn't come off.

"But it has been a great year and to finish with two fourths and a third in my last three tournaments has capped it off nicely."

Rose is staying in Mexico for a week for a short holiday before heading over to South Africa for Christmas and the new year.

But it will be a short break for the English number one as the European Tour starts again in South Africa on January 9.