FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 30

 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATCH BETWEEN JAPAN AND CROATIA

First round of eight, Japan-Croatia match kicks off at Soccer World Cup

The FIFA World Cup Qatar kicked off on 5 December (6 Japan hours) with the first round match between Japan (1st place in Group E of the 1st League) and Croatia (2nd place in Group F). Japan will aim to reach the top eight for the first time.

If the 'wall' is broken, the third Asian team will face Croatia in the last eight of the World Cup Japan

Japan, who finished first in Group E in the first round of the World Cup Qatar, faced Croatia, who finished second in Group F, in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (6 Japan hours). Japan's long-awaited top-eight finish has been achieved by two Asian teams.

The first Asian team to advance was North Korea at the 1966 World Cup in England. They defeated the strong Italian team and went through the first round with one win, one loss and one draw. They faced Portugal in the quarterfinals, the first match of the playoffs of the last eight. They scored three goals first, but lost 5-3 to Portuguese striker Eusebio with four goals.

The second was in Korea at the 2002 Japan-Korea Games. Partly due to the "advantage of location" of the host country, they defeated Portugal in the first round and finished in first place with two wins and one draw, and then won the final tournament against Italy and Spain to reach the last four. Although they succumbed to Germany in the semi-finals and Turkey in the third-place match, they achieved the best result among Asian teams.

It was the fourth time in Qatar that Japan advanced through the first round and reached the last 16. They reached the final tournament for the first time in '02 and lost to Paraguay on penalties in '10. In the '18 World Cup in Russia, they lost to Belgium by two goals and were rebounded by the world's powerhouses.

If Japan reach the quarterfinals of a tournament other than home country, it will be the second time in Asia since North Korea in '66 that it has achieved the feat. Can you break the "16-strong wall" and see more "new scenery" than the 8-strong wall?

Japan, Daizen Maeda scored the opening goal against Croatia in the Soccer World Cup

In the FIFA World Cup Qatar, Japan faced defending champions Croatia in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (early morning of Japan time 6 December).

Japan took the lead after 40 minutes of the first half with a 0-0 lead, when Daizen Maeda (Celtic) kicked in a spilled ball from a cross from Ritsu Doan (Freiburg). Maeda scored his first World Cup goal and his second goal for the Japan national team.

It was the first time in the tournament that Japan took the lead, and the first half ended 1-0.

DAIZEN MAEDA - JAPANESE FOOTBALL PLAYER

Japan lead in the first half, no substitutions in the second half Soccer World Cup match against Croatia

The soccer World Cup Qatar took place on 5 December (6 Japan hours), where Japan (1st place in Group E of the 1st League), who are aiming to reach the last 8 for the first time, faced Croatia (2nd place in Group F) in the first round of the final tournament.

Japan took a 1-0 lead into the second half. There were no substitutions for either team.

Japan concedes second-half equaliser to Croatia at the Soccer World Cup

In the FIFA World Cup Qatar, Japan faced defending champions Croatia in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (early morning of 6 Japan time).

Japan tied 1-0 in the second half when Croatia's Perisic headed in a cross to score the equaliser.

1-1 second half against Croatia Japan introduced Mitoma and Asano at the Soccer World Cup

In the FIFA World Cup Qatar, Japan faced defending champions Croatia in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (early morning of Japan time 6 December).

Japan, around the 20th minute of the second half of the 1-1 tie, Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) and Takuma Asano (Bochum) were introduced. Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo) and Daizen Maeda (Celtic), who scored the opening goal, were dropped to the bench.

Viewing restrictions on ABEMA Japan-Croatia match "access concentrated" World Cup

ABEMA, an Internet TV that broadcasts the World Cup Qatar for free, restricted viewing during the first round of the final tournament between Japan and Croatia on the 6th.

The management company released a comment saying, "Due to the concentration of access, we will restrict admission to ABEMA from 0:44 at any time." When I tried to access ABEMA for the first time, the message "There is a situation where ABEMA cannot be accessed is currently occurring".

Around the same time, Japan opened the scoring with a goal from MAEDA Daizen (Celtic).

After that, he explained, "We are restricting and lifting admission as needed while monitoring the access situation."

The operating company explained in advance that access is expected to be concentrated, and that "admission may be restricted if it is judged necessary to maintain a comfortable viewing environment."

In the second half of Japan vs. Croatia, Daichi Kamada was replaced by Hiroki Sakai

In the FIFA World Cup Qatar, Japan faced defending champions Croatia in the first round of the final tournament on 5 December (early morning of Japan time 6 December).

Japan came in around the 30th minute of the second half of the 1-1 tie, introducing SAKAI Hiroki (Urawa Red Diamonds), who had returned from injury. Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt) retired to the bench.

After 40 minutes of the second half, Takumi Minamino (Monaco) was introduced. Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), who scored two goals in the first round, retired.

DAICHI KAMADA - JAPANESE FOOTBALL PLAYER

Croatia match goes to extra time - Failed to settle after 90 minutes at Soccer World Cup

The first round of the final tournament of the World Cup Qatar took place on 5 December (6 Japan hours), and Japan (1st place in Group E of the 1st League), who are aiming to reach the last 8 for the first time, faced Croatia (2nd place in Group F).

With the score at 1-1, neither team was able to score an additional goal and the second half ended. The game was not settled after 90 minutes and went into extra time for the first time in the tournament.

"Bravo again" Shibuya, eagerness to wish for new history World Cup match against Croatia

The match between Japan and Croatia in Qatar kicked off at 0:00 a.m. on 6 December. "Bravo again". Tokyo, Shibuya, and other places where soccer fans gather were filled with anticipation and enthusiasm.

At the beer bar "Good Beer Foussets" not far from Shibuya Station, the live video was projected on a monitor installed in the store. It usually closes at midnight, but has extended its business hours. About 70 seats in the restaurant were filled with reservations.

As soon as the match started, the supporters in uniform applauded exceptionally. When the Japan national team approached the opponent's goal in the early stages, they cheered the team by calling out the players' names. Screams leaked out as the Japan was attacked.

"I came to see history". Ryosuke Tabe, a 35-year-old office worker from Setagaya Ward, cheered on Kaoru Mitoma, who is attracting attention as a player who is attracting attention for being able to break through the situation alone. "What is interesting to watch is the scoring of goals, but I don't want to see the conceding scenes, I want them to defend well and win the match," he said of the early matches, "I think the team is doing what we want to do. It's bad for your heart," he said, staring at the screen.

In the rain, the Metropolitan Police Department deployed riot police around scramble intersections to prepare for crowded accidents caused by excited supporters. "I want them to act calmly to prevent accidents that could undermine the success of the Japan national team, and the police will provide the necessary security." A senior Metropolitan Police officer said before the game: The security posture has been strengthened compared to the previous three matches.

At the soccer shop KAMO Shibuya near Shibuya Station, shoppers picked up replica jerseys at the Japan national team corner on the evening of the 5th before the match. Natsuki Nagakura (19), a first-year university student in Fujimino, Saitama Prefecture, watched the game at karaoke wearing a uniform she bought with a friend. "I thought I might lose in the qualifying round, but I came to buy it because I won it, and I want to hear Nagatomo's 'Bravo'."

According to a spokesperson for the management company, sales of related products are up compared to before the Games. During the tournament, the number of visitors to the store increased, and the headquarters staff also served customers at the store. A spokesperson said, "The stores still have enough jerseys in stock, and we hope that the Japan national team will continue to be excited."