FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 25

 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND ARGENTINA

World Cup match against Croatia is a 'Japan win' Otter parents and children at zoo predict

Ahead of the match between Croatia and Japan of the World Cup Qatar (Japan time and 6 June), an event was held at Himeji Central Park in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture on the 4th to predict the victory or defeat of the small-clawed otter parent. Both dogs predicted a "Japan victory," and the audience applauded loudly, chanting "Good luck Japan."

Fifteen-year-old father Chip and three-year-old son Tsubasa predict the winner by the two ping-pong balls in front of them. In the three races Japan have participated in so far, the accuracy rate of chips is one-third. Tsubasa is two-thirds old to win against powerhouse Germany and Spain.

Hanging a white and Croatian orange ping-pong ball representing Japan, Chip jumped on the white ball without hesitation. Tsubasa followed with a slightly hesitant gesture, but chose white.

Haruho Otosu, an 8-year-old third-grader from Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, who came to visit with his family, said, "It was cute, and I hope Japan wins when the prediction is correct."

Messi beats Maradona to get into the last eight "I still want to be here"

In the FIFA World Cup Qatar, Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 in the first round of the final tournament on 3 December (4 Japan hours), thanks to a goal from ace Messi, to advance to the last eight for the first time in two tournaments.

For most of the game, the Argentine ace walked in a relaxed manner as if he were taking a walk on a pitch where his friends and foes were busy. Occasionally, he stops and stares at the direction of the ball, but his presence is almost non-existent. However, the instantaneous brilliance is more intense than anyone else's. That's what makes Messi a superstar.

In the 35th minute of the 0-0 first half, he sent the ball from the right flank to his teammate in the center and accelerated to the front of the goal. He received the ball again inside the penalty area and swung his left foot wide without pause. Four opposing players stood in the way, but it didn't matter. The ball went past one of the crotches and was sucked into the left side of the goal.

According to Reuters and others, this was his 1,000th game for club and national team. With his third goal of the tournament, he extended his World Cup tally to nine, surpassing Maradona (deceased), who was called the "Son of God" and senior at number 10. The 1,000 actors who added flowers in a record-breaking shot to the milestone were cheered by the Argentine supporters who filled most of the audience.

He tends to focus on his dribbling and accurate shots, but his play is supported by careful preparation. Even while "disappearing" on the pitch, he constantly shakes his head to check his surroundings. He doesn't panic when his teammates try to break through the flanks and runs into the empty space at the perfect timing. Even at the age of 35, his sense of reading developments and his sense of smell to discern places that are directly linked to scores have not diminished.

It has been two days since the final match of the first round. He played the full game and led the team, saying, "It was physically tough, but with this win we can move forward." After making it through the first round of the final tournament in Russia 2018, where he was in tears, "I still want to be here." He is taking steps towards winning his first World Cup.

Australia missed out on first eight as they torment Argentina with brave attack

Australia lost to Argentina 2-1 in the first round of the final tournament on 3 December (4 Japan hours) in Qatar, missing out on a place in the last eight for the first time.

Even on his second attempt, he could not cross the barrier of the last 16. Australia, who reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, lost to Argentina. However, even in the inferior team, they bravely attacked and tormented the favourites until the end.

From the start, they controlled the pace. In the 12th minute of the second half, when the score was 0-1, goalkeeper Ryan lost the ball to two players and conceded a goal. The match looked as if the match had been decided, as the away atmosphere was shaken by the cheers of the Argentine supporters.

But from there, they put in attacking players and started to strike back. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Goodwin's shot invited an own goal to take a one-goal lead. In the closing minutes, Behic dribbled past four men and came close to the goal, causing Argentina to break out in a cold sweat.

Although they were once again denied a place in the last eight, they made history by winning two matches for the first time in this tournament. Arnold, who played for Hiroshima in the J.League as a player and led Sendai as a coach, said of the team he spent about four and a half years building, "I couldn't be more proud of the hard work of the players and everything they have given for me and my country." With a sense of frustration and fulfillment, he leaves the tournament.

AUSTRALIA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IN WORLD CUP 2022

U.S. weeps over decisiveness, mark sweetly defends and collapses at the World Cup

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.

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The United States, who dominated the ball, cried over the difference in decisiveness. The missed first opportunity in the first three minutes of the first half was symbolic.

Match against Croatia The key is the battle for control of the midfield Japan national football team

At the World Cup Qatar, the Japan National Team (1st place in Group E of the 1st Round) will face Croatia (2nd place in Group F) in the first round of the final tournament at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah from 6 p.m. on 5 December (0:00 am on 6 Japan time).

For Japan, who have been aiming for their first "top eight or higher", the first round of the playoffs, which has been bounced back three times in the past, will be the last obstacle to achieving their goal. Their opponents, Croatia, were the runners-up in Russia 2018. If you lose, the key to the final one-shot game is the battle for control in the midfield.

Croatia's core is a midfield made up of defending champions Modric (Real Madrid), Kovacic (Chelsea) and Brozovic (Inter Milan). All three players who play for Europe's biggest clubs are fluidly intertwined, and the whole team works together to reach the goal.

Even if there is no individual flashiness, there is a high level of dedication, and Doan Ritsu (Freiburg) is wary of "a game expert who has many veterans and has an experienced game handling".