The Land of the Rising Sun performed brilliantly at the World Cup in Qatar, thanks to which it slipped surprisingly into the round of 16 from first place in Group E, which certainly no one expected. The Japanese were sensationally not enough against Costa Rica (0:1), but first managed to turn the tide against Germany (2:1) and did the same in the end against Spain (2:1). Now they will take on team Croatia, who have never lost in their history.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu’s men picked up six points and finished two points clear of second-placed Spain and eliminated Germany, something hardly anyone could have predicted. The main wildcards are Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano, who have always spiced up play against the European favorites after coming on as substitutes. At the moment another European adversary awaits them, this time from the Balkan peninsula.
“Samurai Blue” first took part in the World Cup in 1998 and managed to advance to the top sixteen three times, but has never broken through the quarterfinal gate in history. The reigning Asian champions have faced Croatia twice on World Football Day. They lost 0:1 at their very first 24 years ago, and drew goalless with them eight years later in a tournament in Germany.
Coach Moriyasu will have to do without Itakura (penalty for yellow card), Takefusa Kubo did not train on Saturday due to a cold and his departure is therefore at risk. “There is a good mood around the team, and advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time is a big challenge for us. After three duels in the group, we are really ready for anything, including possible extra time and penalties. Even if we had only a one or two percent chance of winning, we’ll wash to the end,” Moriyasu stated with determination.
The “Dame” first won a 0:0 with Morocco, then winners of Group F, and then, after an offensive concert, gave Canada no chance, although they lost (4:1) even after two minutes were been played. In the awaited battle with Belgium, they were no better choice and until the end had to worry about a second goalless draw in the league, as goalscorer Romelu Lukaku failed to convert many of Tut’s chances.
The Croatians thus finished second with five points and were already preparing for the duel with Spain, however, according to coach Zlatko Dalič, the match with Japan won’t be much easier. “When the Spaniards scored the first goal, I thought Japan was finished. However, they didn’t give up and definitely deserved to advance. In the past, I would definitely have chosen such an opponent to play against us in the round of 16 of the World Cup, but now, after the scalps of these giants of the world, nothing easy awaits us.”
Dalič will have the strongest possible squad at his disposal, including 37-year-old Real Madrid star playmaker Luka Modric, who has already been named man of the match twice.
