Original title: Defeat on penalties against Croatia (quote)
Japan Fourth Round Round of 16 (Theme)
Beijing Daily (Reporter Wang Yang) In the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar that ended early yesterday morning Beijing time, the Japanese team lost 1-3 to Croatia in a penalty shootout, losing 2-4 on aggregate. 2010, and 2018, is the fourth time they stop in the top 16 of the World Cup.
After the opening, the Japanese team changed the defensive tactics used in the first half of the group match against Germany and Spain, but increased the offensive initiative. After the Croatian team withstood the first three catches by the Japanese team, they gradually showed their control in midfield. In the 43rd minute, the Japanese team played an exquisite tactical corner kick. Don Anru assisted Maeda Daran with a successful shot in front of goal, 1-0.
In the second half, the Croatian team chose to strengthen their long pass and cross the ball. In the 55th minute, central defender Lovren passed the ball diagonally into the penalty area. Perisic rushed into the bottom corner of the goal and succeeded. Croatia leveled the score at 1-1.
In their next game, both teams failed to score again and the game went into extra time. The two teams were still level after extra time and the match was dragged to a penalty shootout. Croatia won twice on penalties in the knockout stages of last World Cup, giving them a psychological advantage going into the shootout.
Indeed, the first two players of the Japanese team, Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Misaki, were easily saved by the Croatian team’s goalkeeper Livakovic. The Croatian team made two free throws. In the third round, Takuma Asano of the Japanese team made a penalty and Livaja of the Croatian team missed a penalty. In the fourth round of life and death, Livakovic was brave again: he saved Japan team captain Maya Yoshida’s penalty kick, while Croatia team’s Pasalić scored a penalty and escorted the “Grid Army” to advance among the first 8 .
However, Japanese coach Mori Hoichi said the players’ performances showed Japanese football had entered a new era after beating Germany and Spain in the group stage. “We have to take advantage of the frustration of these penalties to win the next match.”
