Japan vs Croatia Match Details
Match: Japan vs Croatia,53nd match |Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup
Date: 5th December 2022
Time: 9.00 PM (GMT+6), 8.30 PM(GMT+5.5)
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Japan vs Croatia Preview
FIFA ranking: Japan(24)-(12)Croatia
Japan vs Croatia will face each other in round of 16 matches in World Cup football, popularly known as The Greatest Show on Earth.
Japan is representing Asia by defeating mighty Spain in the group stage. On the other hand, Croatia is the runner up of the 2018 World Cup. Croatia’s dream of winning the title was dashed by defeat in the service final. The 2018 World Cup team was composed of Mordic, Rakitic. As the dream makers of the World Cup, they will shine this year.
2018 World Cup finalist the Croatian team held their opening match to a goalless draw against relatively weak side Morocco. In the first match against Morocco, they failed to score goals despite using a strategic way of attacking. Asian representative Japan surprised the football world by defeating one of the hot favorites of the World Cup in the first match. They will want to continue that trend in this match as well.
The asian giant Japan fell behind early in their opening game, but a comeback against a strong Germany will give them confidence. Japan, the twenty four-ranked country in FIFA rankings, is set to face Croatia, the twelve-ranked country. Despite being close in the rankings, the match will not be easy for japan.
Japan is a promising team. The Japanese team is all set to shine on the World Cup stage with 15 wins from their last eighteen matches in the qualifying round.
In the last World Cup 2018, Japan, famous for Blue Samurai, was able to block the first round. No doubt the Asian giant will also want to continue their winning streak this year.
Japan signed their talent in the qualifying round. Croatia are not in the strong position they used to be so they will face a tough test against Japan.
Croatia made a good impression as well. The Croatia team defeated Canada by 1-4 goals. Though two other matches were drawn against morocco and Mighty Belgium.
Japan vs Croatia Key Points
Luka Mordic is undoubtedly the highlight of the match. All the spotlights will be focused on him. One of the best players of the last World Cup won the 2018 Ballon d’Or with his performance. But only time will tell how much Luka Mordick, who is 37 years old, can shine.
Apart from Mordic, the 2022 World Cup will be the last for many other stars of the 2018 World Cup Croatia team. They will also want to paint their finish.
Croatia failed to score in the first match. However, as like the first match, the spotlight will be on the main star player of the team, Luka Modic, in the second match as well. Luka won the Ballon d’Or by taking the Croatian team to the final in the 2018 World Cup. Mordic, playing his last World Cup, can shine in the second game.
The runner-up team of the 2018 World Cup is Croatia. Croatia’s dream of winning the title was washed away by being defeated in the service final. The 2018 World Cup team was composed of Mordic, Rakitic. They will shine this year as the dream chariot of the World Cup.
Japanese defender Suichi Gonda showed great ability in the first match. Thanks to Gonda, the Germans failed to double the first half lead. This defender will be Japan’s trump card in this match as well. Superstar Dwayne and Achano will undoubtedly be in the spotlight.
Takuma Asano’s game was doubted in the first match due to injury. However, he was able to play against Germany. The coach will trust him in the match as well.
In the previous match against Costa rica , Hiroki Sakai was forced to leave the field 15 minutes before the final whistle. There are doubts about his game. TakehiroTamiasuke can be seen in his place.
Takumi Minamino is Japan’s biggest star after Honda’s retirement. The Liverpool superstar will be in the spotlight alongside the German stars. In addition, most of the players in the Japanese Squad have experience at the highest level, having played in various European leagues.
Japan vs Croatia Head-to-Head
Japan vs Croatia have met three times until now. Japan won one match with one drawn match.
Japan vs Croatia Team News
Most of the Croatian team players that took part against Austria last September may remain unchanged. Mordic-Kovacic will lead the new World Cup journey of the 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia team.
The asian giant Japan, on the other hand, are set to field a full-strength team with Karu Mitoma and Otaru Indu returning from injury.
Japan vs Croatia Squad
Japan squad
Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse), Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg), Schmid Daniel (Sint-Troiden VV)
Defenders: Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Red Diamonds), TakehiroTomiyasu (Arsenal), Maya Yoshida (Schalke), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Hiroki Ito (Stuttgart), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Midfielders: Junya Ito (Reims), Daichi Kamada (Francfort), Take Kubo (Real Sociedad), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), GakuShibasaki (Leganes), Yuki Soma (Nagoya Grampus), Ritsu Doan (Fribourg), Wataru Endo (Stuttgart), Hidemasa Morita (Sporting), Ao Tanaka (Fortuna Dusseldorf)
Forwards: Takuma Asano (Bochum), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ayase Ueda (Cercle de Bruges)
Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic
Defenders: Domagoz Vida, Josip Juranovic, Josko Guardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlik, Josip Sutalo, DejanLovren, Borna Barisic
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, LovroMajar, KristijanJackic, Luka Sucic, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic
Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrzej Kramric, Marko Livaja, Bruno Petkovic, MislavOrsic, Ante Budimir
Japan vs Croatia Prediction
Scorecard: Japan 1-2 Croatia
Japan has won five matches, lost two and drawn two matches out of nine matches in all competitions. Japan has won two matches so far in this world cup.
Croatia, on the other hand, have won four matches, drawn two matches in their last six matches in all competitions. Considering the statistics, it may seem that Croatia is clearly ahead. But Japan is not a weak team. In their day they can change the equation.