AL WAKRAH: 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia held their nerves to edge spirited Japan on the penalty shoot-out to make their way into the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.
Japan’s dream to make it to the quarter-finals for the first time in history came to a frustrating end after another display of the sort which saw off Spain and Germany on their way to topping Group E.
Both teams started the game with a lot of energy but as the minutes ticked by, Croatia began to control the game and dictate the pace.
Ivan Perisic had Croatia’s best chance of the half but could not beat Shuichi Gonda from close range following Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Japan, however, found some momentum at the end of the half and made it count after Daizen Maeda when Ritsu Doan struck from the short corner and Maya Yoshida won the initial header, Maeda was quick to react as he guided the ball into the nets.
Japan appeared to be the superior team and prepared to cause more harm, but Ivan Perisic, one of Croatia’s most dangerous players, unexpectedly tied the game with a thunderous header off of Dejan Lovren’s deep cross.
Perisic’s equaliser was enough for Croatia, not only to nullify Japan’s lead but also to force the match into extra time.
Extra time was quiet and saw a lack of chances other than a deflected effort from Kaoru Mitoma.
Croatia’s hero of the match Dominik Livakovic then stole the show in the penalty shoot-out as he blocked three kicks to power his side into the quarter-finals.
Takuma Asano was the sole striker for Japan in the shoot-out, while Nikola Vlasic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Pasalic struck for Croatia.
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