Croatia vs. Japan: the experienced versus the brave

In a somewhat unpredictable fashion, Croatia will meet Japan in this round of 16 of Qatar 2022, where the Balkans have headed second in a group led by Morocco and where the Asians have fallen first of a quartet they shared with Spain and Germany.

The current runner-up of the world is progressing, Croatia, which, once the first stage is overcome and fully involved in the decisive matches, qualifiers, is able to ensnare anyone. On this occasion, however, Zlatko Dalic’s team comes with a well-deserved reputation in Russia 2018 and with the pressure of having to show theoretical superiority against an opponent without being affected in these types of tournaments.

The Balkan coach Dalic recalled that Croatia, together with Germany and France, is the only one to have reached the podium twice in the last 20 years in the World Cups. It came third in France in 1998 and second in Russia in 2018. Yet it still continues without monopolizing the attention of more traditional teams.

Croatia is one of five undefeated teams to reach the round of 16. With the exception of the gray game against Morocco, the team led by Luka Modric and associates has responded to what was expected with a win against Canada and a draw enough against Belgium, who had to pack their bags when they were eliminated.

Without surprises, the Croatian team faces Japan for the fourth game in history. The panorama, the background, couldn’t be more even. In three games, each won one game and the other ended in a draw. However, the Asian team now coached by Hajime Moriyasu was victorious in the only friendly match between the two teams, in 1997 (4-3).

The other two duels were exactly in World Cups. In France 1998, where the Balkan team defeated Japan 0-1, and in Germany 2006, the most recent, in a game that ended goalless.

The Croatian coach has a clear view, the one who has made the least use of his World Cup squad. He has only used sixteen football players. Ten were starters in the three games and the only variation between one and the other was in point of attack. The tournament started with Nikola Vlasic, but the next two his place was taken by Marko Livaja.

However, for the game against Japan, Dalic will not be able to count on left back Borna Sosa, who is suffering from a virus from which he has not recovered, nor on Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanisic, who was also not part of the last training session. session due to a muscle injury. .

Sosa was a fixture on the left side. Josko Gvardiol, centre-back, can eventually occupy that flank where he has already played on other occasions and bring in veteran Domadoj Vida to recall the center of yesteryear defense with Dejan Lovren.

“Our expectations have not increased. We must remain calm and humble. The most important thing is the next match, without thinking that we have done much. We have taken the first step and will continue. In Russia 2018, we were first in the group and if we had lost with Denmark we would have been knocked out and no one would remember what we did in the group stage, we don’t go with high expectations, we go with caution, to win and try to take the next step. keep both feet on the ground,” says Dalic.

More interventionist is Hajime Moriyasu who changed his team in all matches. Depending on the opponent. It is one of the revelations of the competition, the Japanese team that each edition is more protected by a discipline and method that will bring results in Qatar 2022.

Japan kicked Germany out of the World Cup and beat Spain. Having reached the round of 16 three times before, they see this as their chance to make history and reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

The coach, a revolutionary who has been able to give his team the necessary response, begins to get great performance from the effective pressure to which he subjects the rival and the orderly coverage of the spaces. The spirit and speed in starting the transitions have made Japan one of the sensations of what’s going on in the league and with a wide panorama to face.

He surprised Germany and was surprised by Costa Rica. They needed a win against Spain and they got it. She advanced first of a quartet that warned her against a hasty farewell. And he continues in Qatar, with all options open and a victory to make history.

Japan enters the game with a sensitive lunge for Borussia Mönchengladbach center back Ko Itakura, suspended for cards. His place can be taken by Shogo Taniguchi who played against Spain. In addition, Hiroki Sakai, who has just returned from an injury, and Real Sociedad footballer Take Kubo, who did not train on Saturday due to discomfort, may remain outside the eleven.

— Probable lineups:

Japan: Shuichi Gonda; Miki Yamane, Shogo Taniguchi, Maya Yoshida, Yuto Nagamtomo; Hidemas Morita, Wataru Endo, Ao Tanaka, Kaichi Kamada; Daizen Maeda and Yuki Soma.

Croatia: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Josko Gvardiol; Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Livaja, Ivan Perisic

Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)

Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah)