Deprecated: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in /home/zbyiujsu/public_html/wp-content/plugins/jnews-social-share/class.jnews-initial-counter.php on line 40
Deprecated: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in /home/zbyiujsu/public_html/wp-content/plugins/jnews-social-share/class.jnews-initial-counter.php on line 40
Deprecated: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in /home/zbyiujsu/public_html/wp-content/plugins/jnews-social-share/class.jnews-initial-counter.php on line 40
Deprecated: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in /home/zbyiujsu/public_html/wp-content/plugins/jnews-social-share/class.jnews-initial-counter.php on line 40
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the star as he saved three penalties as 2018 World Cup runners-up beat Japan 3-1 in the round of 16 at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.
The game went to penalties after it was locked 1-1 in regulation and extra time.
Japan’s Daizen Maeda’s close range finish just before half-time was cancelled out by the brilliant header of Ivan Perisic in the second half.
Both sides jabbed at each other afterwards and with weary legs, penalties were the only option.
Japan came to this game as giant slayers having defeated two World Cup winners – Spain and Germany in Group E to finish top of the knockout stages.
Croatia, who reached the final four years ago, did not suffer the same prey to be next in line to be defeated. Japan answered this question with poise and quality in the first half.
They were a threat, with quick counter attacking football. Croatia failed to clear the first and second balls and Maeda stunned the World Cup finalists with a goal in 43rd minute from a well-rehearsed corner kick to take a shock lead. It was the first time Japan had scored first in these World Cup finals.
But Croatia soon upped the ante and one of the old horses of four years ago Perisic, the man of big occasion, got a good contact with a header to get an equaliser in the 55th minute.
Perisic equalled Davor Suker who scored six goals in the World Cup finals, having also scored the winner against Japan in 1998 World Cup in France.
As neither side was able to find the winner, the game went to extra time, becoming the first game in these World Cup finals to do so.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, looking to refresh things up, took off Modric and Mateo Kovavic in search of the winner.
Tired legs were still evidence, the game went to the penalty shoot outs.
– Advertisement –
Japan were seeking to make history in the World Cup to reach the quarter finals for the first time having been knocked out in the same stage on three occasions.
The only Asian nations to have reached the World Cup quarter finals are North Korea in 1966 and South Korea in 2002, who also reached the semis as the hosts in that year alongside Japan.