Hoping to make lightning strike the similar position 3 times, massive killers Japan took on heavyweights Croatia within the remaining 16 of the 2022 FIFA International Cup on Monday (5 December). Japan got here as regards to extending their dream run, however Dominik Livakovic’s heroics within the penalty shootout denied them a victory within the remaining 16. The Kockasti received the shootout 3-1 after the sport ended 1-1 on the finish of law time.
The Samurai Blue loved a blistering get started on the Al Janoub Stadium, coming agonizingly as regards to scoring the opener after a few mins of play. Wataru Endo delivered a teasing go into the field, which Shogo Taniguchi met from a trifling six yards out. Sadly, the center-back may just no longer stay his effort on course.
Within the 9th minute, Japan right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu under-hit his move to the keeper, permitting Ivan Perisic to scouse borrow it and feature a move at objective. The underdogs reacted smartly to the danger and ultimately extinguished it. 4 mins later, Junya Ito delivered a teasing go into Croatia’s field. Daizen Maeda slid in to make touch however in the end failed to take action by means of the narrowest of margins.
Japan beat two International Cup winners in Spain and Germany whilst pushing Croatia to consequences 😮They’ve such a lot to be happy with 🇯🇵❤️ https://t.co/BwetMTzura
Within the forty third minute, Japan made their superiority rely. Ritsu Doan delivered a very good nook into the field. Maya Yoshida received the preliminary header and directed it onto Maeda’s trail. The Celtic guy made no mistake turning it in from shut vary.
Having been below the cosh for almost all of the primary half of, Croatia in any case hit again via Perisic 10 mins into the second one 45. Dejan Lovren swung in a go from the precise, and Perisic scored a thumping header to revive parity for his staff.
Within the 66th minute, Andrej Kramaric delivered a teasing go into the Eastern field for Ante Budimir. The unreal shockingly didn’t hit the objective from shut vary. With not anything keeping apart the 2 groups, the event went into overtime.
Within the one hundred and fifth minute, replace Kaoru Mitoma went for objective with a formidable pressure from out of doors the field. Croat keeper Livakovic made a powerful save to stay the underdogs from pulling forward.
With the scoreline at 1-1 on the finish of overtime, the event went to consequences. Livakovic made 3 shocking saves within the shootout to take his staff to the overall 8 in Qatar. Listed here are 5 primary takeaways from the nailbiter on the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday:
#5 Japan loved an electrical begin to the sport
Japan v Croatia: Spherical of 16 – FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022
Effervescent with self belief after their large comeback wins over Germany and Spain, Japan loved a full of life get started within the spherical of 16 of the 2022 FIFA International Cup. They made lifestyles tough for the 2018 FIFA International Cup finalists with their relentless urgent and speedy counter-attacks.
Taniguchi had a very good alternative to attain the primary objective of the event after simply 3 mins of play. Croatia keeper Livakovic would were crushed had the defender controlled to stay his header on course. Within the thirteenth minute, Ito outfoxed Borna Borisic to ship a menacing go into the field. Maeda didn’t make touch by means of the narrowest of margins. Hopefully, Japan can have been two objectives to the nice throughout the first quarter-hour.
#4 Wataru Endo ran the display within the 2022 FIFA International Cup remaining 16
Japan v Croatia: Spherical of 16 – FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022
Wataru Endo used to be arguably the most efficient participant at the pitch on Monday. He created alternatives at will, held his personal in one-on-one duels, and fulfilled his defensive obligations, making lifestyles extremely tough for the opposition.
Wataru Endo’s recreation by means of numbers vs. Croatia:
120 mins performed
89 touches
88% move accuracy
6/7 flooring duels received
5 clearances
4 key passes
2/3 lengthy balls finished
2 large possibilities created
He used to be in every single place.
Wataru Endo’s recreation by means of numbers vs. Croatia:120 mins played89 touches88% move accuracy6/7 flooring duels won5 clearances4 key passes2/3 lengthy balls completed2 large possibilities createdHe used to be in every single place. 💥 https://t.co/QsQyyh4iL4
Towards Croatia, Endo performed a match-high 4 key passes, received six flooring duels, created two large possibilities, and finished 60 correct passes (88.2% accuracy). He additionally delivered two correct lengthy balls, made 5 clearances, blocked a shot, and tried two tackles. Taking into account the shift he installed, It used to be disappointing to look him finally end up at the dropping facet.
#3 2022 FIFA International Cup witnessed its first penalty shootout
Japan v Croatia: Spherical of 16 – FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022
After Perisic canceled out Maeda’s opener, the 2 groups struggled to play significant soccer throughout the ultimate 3rd. The Vatreni essentially attempted to avoid their fighters with lengthy balls excessive however infrequently controlled to make Gonda paintings.
The Samurai Blue, alternatively, both drilled crosses into the field or attempted to play during the center. Neither possibility proved to be very efficient because the 2018 finalists controlled to care for their makes an attempt slightly simply.
3 – Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic is the 3rd goalkeeper to make 3 saves in one International Cup penalty shootout after Portugal’s Ricardo in 2006 as opposed to England and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic as opposed to Denmark in 2018. Hero.
3 – Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic is the 3rd goalkeeper to make 3 saves in one International Cup penalty shootout after Portugal’s Ricardo in 2006 as opposed to England and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic as opposed to Denmark in 2018. Hero. https://t.co/7BrtzYZbmM
Stage at 1-1, the event went to overtime, and later consequences, the place Croatia ultimately got here out on best. Nikola Vlasic, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mario Pasalic (decisive kick) transformed their spot-kicks whilst Takuma Asano put away Japan’s best a success penalty. Marko Livaja used to be the one Croat to leave out his kick, whilst Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, and Maya Yoshida noticed their efforts stored by means of Livakovic. It’s secure to mention that the primary shootout in Qatar used to be reasonably an eventful one.
It used to be Croatia’s 3rd consecutive a success penalty shootout on the FIFA International Cup. Japan, alternatively, persevered their 2d defeat on consequences in International Cup historical past.
#2 Luka Modric had a recreation to overlook
Japan v Croatia: Spherical of 16 – FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022
Actual Madrid famous person Luka Modric struggled to impose himself within the conflict in opposition to Samurai Blue. He ran tirelessly and made himself to be had time and time once more, however he didn’t have a lot to turn for his efforts. Apart from for an impeccable half-volleyed effort within the 63rd minute, which Shuichi Gonda stored beautifully, Modric didn’t produce the rest to put in writing house about.
Luka Modric and his children after Croatia’s win Luka Modric and his children after Croatia’s win ❤️ https://t.co/0VH18PNYGt
On Monday night time, Modric didn’t play any key passes, misplaced 8 of 10 duels, misplaced ownership 17 instances, and out of place 4 of 5 tried crosses. The 37-year-old used to be additionally dribbled previous on a few events prior to being taken off within the 99th minute.
#1 Ivan Perisic and Dominik Livakovic take Croatia to the quarter-finals
Japan v Croatia: Spherical of 16 – FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022
Ivan Perisic and Dominik Livakovic led by means of instance to take their staff via to the quarter-finals. Perisic beautifully hooked up with Lovren’s supply within the fifty fifth minute and directed his tough header into the ground left nook of Gonda’s objective. Perisic additionally performed a key move, received 5 aerial duels, and delivered a correct go.
Livakovic, alternatively, used to be the unabashed hero of the penalty shootout, making 3 shocking saves to take his staff to a 1-3 victory within the shootout. He dove to his left to prevent Takumi Minamino’s strike from getting in. Subsequent, Mitoma went left together with his kick, and once more, Livakovic guessed accurately and made a surprising diving save by means of lunging to his correct.
10 – Ivan Perišić has scored extra objectives at International Cups and Eu Championships blended than some other Croatia participant (10). Knack.
10 – Ivan Perišić has scored extra objectives at International Cups and Eu Championships blended than some other Croatia participant (10). Knack. https://t.co/84zvxUtiD0
Livakovic’s 3rd penalty save got here in opposition to Maya Yoshida. The defender failed to seek out the left nook together with his kick, making for a slightly relaxed save for Livakovic. Prior to the shootout, Livakovic made 3 saves and delivered 8 correct lengthy balls (from open play).
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Edited by means of Sushan Chakraborty
