FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 24

 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MATCHES OF ARGENTINA AND CROATIA

Japan National Team prepare for match against Croatia - Kubo rests due to ill health Soccer World Cup

The Japan National Team, who finished first in Group E of the first round of the World Cup Qatar, will face defending champions Croatia in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (6 Japan hours) in a bid to reach the last eight for the first time. Hiroki Sakai (Urawa), who had been adjusting his menu due to discomfort in the back of his left thigh on the 3rd, resumed training in Doha City. Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) recuperated in his dormitory due to ill health.

Croatia have 37-year-old Modric (Real Madrid), who won the World Cup Player of the Year award, alive and well, while Kovacic (Chelsea) and Brozovic (Inter Milan) have one of the best midfield in the world. Doan Ritsu (Freiburg), who has scored two goals so far, cautioned, "I have the image of a solid team, and I think there are many veterans who are skilled in the game."

The pattern of defending tenaciously in the first half of the Japan and scoring goals in the second half, including substitutions, is taking hold. Captain KAMADA Daichi (Eintracht Frankfurt) predicted, "I think we have more time to hold the ball than we did against Germany and Spain, and it will be easier for us to steal and aim for short counters."

Kou Itakura (Borussia MG), who has played all three matches so far, will be suspended for the match against Croatia due to cumulative warnings. "It's frustrating not to be on the bench, but I'm with everyone and I want to support them with all my might. I am confident that they will win the match, so I want to make it into a state where I can help everyone in the next match."

Argentina Top 8 Messi 'Beyond Maradona' First Shot Soccer World Cup

The first round of the Soccer World Cup (World Cup) was held in Al Layan near Doha on 3 December (4 Japan hours), where Argentina (1st place in Group C) defeated Australia (2nd place in Group D) 2-1 to advance to the last eight for the first time since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they finished as runners-up. Argentina will face the Netherlands (1st place in Group A) in the quarterfinals.

Argentina took the lead in the first half with a goal from Messi, before Alvarez added another in the second half. They were given one goal back by Australia's fierce counterattack, but escaped.

Messi's goal brought his tally to nine World Cup goals, surpassing the late Diego Maradona, a long-time Argentine international known as the "Son of God".

"We want to prepare well" for the Japan match: Two Croatia national team players hold press conference

The two players of the Croatia National Team, who will face Japan in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (early morning of 6 Japan time), held a press conference in Doha on 3 September, and Mayer, who has played three matches as a substitute and scored one goal, expressed his enthusiasm, "There are a lot of surprises happening in this tournament, so we will prepare ourselves as well as possible."

Juranovic praised his colleague Maeda at his club Celtic for being "aggressive for 90 minutes" but said: "We have to keep the whole team in check, not just him."

CROATIA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IN WORLD CUP 2022

Doan's shot at a maximum speed of 120 km/h against Spain 2nd place in the first round

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) released distinctive data related to the first round on the 3rd, and the maximum speed of the shot that was scored was second with a shot of 120.04 km scored by Japan Ritsu Doan against Spain. The top spot is 121.69 kilograms set by Mexico's Chavez against Saudi Arabia.

Takehiro Tomiyasu overwhelmed by Spain Utilizing "increase in substitution slots" Soccer World Cup

Japan clinched a spot in the final tournament of the World Cup Qatar against Spain on 1 day (Japan hours and 2 days). Defender TOMIYASU Takehiro (Arsenal), who came on in the middle of the second half, was excellent in defence.

He started at wing-back on the right flank and faced defender Alba. Alba, who has been a regular player for the powerhouse Barcelona and the national team for a long time, is an attacking left-back who has a knack for speed.

List two iconic scenes. Half an hour into the second half, he anticipated Alba's move as he tried to get out behind the Japan line with a through pass, and he put his body in and held it down while almost being pulled out for a moment. Alba did not touch the pass and the ball broke the goal line.

In the added time, he cleared this without being fooled by midfielder Pedri's tricky heel pass. Prevented a pinch. Working together with midfielder Doan Ritsu (Freiburg), he almost perfectly blocked attacks from the Spanish left.

Japan also introduced Wataru Endo (Stuttgart) in the final stages and succeeded in escaping. If the previous three substitutions had been made, would Tomiyasu and Endo, who are not perfect due to injury, have been on the pitch?

Defending runners-up Croatia 37-year-old 'magician' Modric is alive and well

In the first round of the final tournament of the World Cup Qatar, the Japan will face the defending champions Croatia from 6:00 p.m. on 5 (0:00 a.m. on 6 Japan time). The player who needs the most vigilance for Japan is Luka Modric (Real Madrid), who won the MVP award last time. The world's best midfielder is looking into his fourth World Cup, saying he believes in his potential.

Even at the age of 37, his brilliance does not diminish. He captivates with his wide perspective and outstanding technique, and his outside kicks are artistic. The "magician" who dominates the game in midfield has led the team as a reliable captain. In the last World Cup, he scored two goals in seven games to lead his country to the final for the first time, but he fell just short of reaching the top. Returning to the stage where he vows to humiliate, he exudes confidence, saying, "I'm in good shape and the team is ready well."

At the World Cup, there is also a connection with Japan. Modric made his debut for the national team in March 2006 and made his World Cup debut in the Japan match of the first round of the World Cup in Germany that same year. He came on as a substitute in the second half and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Since then, he has started all three matches of the first round of this World Cup, which was his fourth World Cup, except for the 10-year World Cup in South Africa, where Croatia was unable to participate. Although he does not score or assists, he moves around with abundant momentum, easily breaks through the opponent's warning net, and has a high performance that creates good opportunities.

The combination of experienced talents from big clubs such as Kovacic (Chelsea) and Brozovic (Inter Milan) is strong, and attacking and defensive midfield will be the key to the game.

If you win the World Cup, will you win the National Honor Award? Mr. Kihara: "Japan-Korea match for the best four"

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara expressed a positive attitude when asked on Fuji TV on the 4th whether the Japan national team that advanced to the final tournament of the World Cup Qatar would be eligible for the National Honor Award. On the premise that Japan and Korea Republic will both win against strong teams in the next match, he said, "I would like to see the Japan-Korea match in the final four first."

Netherlands' Depay opens the scoring with a difficult strike, and ace shows its true potential

The Netherlands showed their decisiveness and won comfortably with three goals. Right midfielder Dumfris, who showed mobility, played a key role, Depay in the 10th minute of the first half from a cross from the right, and set up Blind's goal just before the end of the match. In the 36th minute of the second half of the 2-1 tie, he volleyed in a left cross. The U.S. was hurt by Prisick's early departure. They stepped up their offense in the second half, but lacked the accuracy of play in front of goal and only scored one goal.

His first goal of the tournament

The Netherlands' Depay, who has scored a record 12 goals in the European qualifiers for the World Cup, opened the scoring with a difficult strike, his first goal of the tournament. The 28-year-old ace, who had been delayed by injury, finally showed his true potential and relaxed his cheeks, saying, "I'm feeling good."