World Cup: Croatia book their ‘spot’ in quarter finals and it’s farewell to feisty Japan

THERE was little to choose between Japan and Croatia in their Round of 16 clash on Monday night as it went into extra time and then to penalties.

And that’s when experience told, as the overawed Blue Samurai spot-kick takers were taught a lesson in calmness and composure as the Croats held their nerve to create an unassailable 3-1 lead, with one remaining penalty each surplus to requirements.

There were plenty of heroes on the night, but none more so than Dominik Livakovic in the Croatian goals, who saved three of the four penalties he faced.

A giant of a man in stature, he also proved colossal in composure and decision-making, guessing right three times and adding quick reaction times to his natural instinct.

Croatia’s other edge was that they had ‘been there, done that’ at the last World Cup in 2018, when they beat Denmark on pens in the Round of 16, and Russia from the spot in the quarter finals.

As to the 90 minutes, Japan started the brighter and it soon became clear that it would be their speedy breakaways against the possession-based style of the Croats.

Both sides had their chances, with Japan smashing hard, low crosses into the box to avoid the height superiority of the Croatian defenders.

Twice they came within a whisker of success, but they would get a goal via another route when a short corner from Ritsu Doan was played on to Daichi Kamada who  in turn lifted a cross into the box and after a hectic scramble it fell to Daizen Maeda who poked it home (1-0).

The half ended with Croatia firmly on the attack and they would continue in this vein in the second period.

Reward came in the 55^th minute via the head of Ivan Perisic, the Tottenham man getting as much power off his forehead than many get with their feet (1-1).

Japan survived near misses from Luka Modrich and Perisic but the game was still deadlocked after 120 minutes as Yoshida and Lovren sportingly wished each other well for the penalty shootout.

Minamino took the first one, too straight and read by Livakovic  (0-0).

Vlasic buries his and Croatia lead 1-0.

Mitoma takes Japan’s second, and the result is the same as the first (1-0).

Brosovic hits the second for Croatia (2-0) and Asano at last gets Japan on the map (2-1).

A casual Levia smacks his against the left post (2-1) but Livakovic saves again, this time from Yoshida.

The end is near for Japan, and Pasalic puts them out of the competition with a third for Croatia.

Well done to brave Japan, who leave with their heads held high.