Croatia and Japan will square off in the World Cup’s round of 16 this.
In what is undoubtedly Japan’s best World Cup campaign to date, both Spain and Germany have been defeated thus far, and, to be honest, the Samarai Blue will have little to fear from here. It would be stupid to dismiss them after their heartbreak against Belgium in 2018, even though they appear to be over it.
In what is undoubtedly Japan’s best World Cup campaign to date, both Spain and Germany have been defeated thus far, and, to be honest, the Samarai Blue will have little to fear from here. It would be stupid to dismiss them after their heartbreak against Belgium in 2018, even though they appear to be over it.
The match between Japan and Croatia is set to begin on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 3pm GMT. The game will be played at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.
Despite Ko Itakura’s suspension and Takefusa Kubo’s injury uncertainty, Hiroki Sakai and Takehiro Tomiyasu should both be available for Japan today. Ko Itakura is suspended.
Borna Sosa, a left back for Croatia, could miss the match because of an illness, and Josip Stanisic, a defender, has a muscular problem. Otherwise, manager Zlatko Dalic would be able to select from a full roster.
Given their propensity to rise to the occasion at this World Cup, it is challenging to look beyond Japan.