Japan will try to make history by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time when they take on Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday.
Having been placed in a group with Spain and Germany, it looked like Japan would have to push hard to reach the round of 16, but they managed to beat both European giants, shockingly losing to Costa Rica in the middle.
It hasn’t been easy for Japan to reach this round, and they will be desperate to continue their fairytale run.
Japan came from behind to beat Spain and book their place in the round of 16 of the World Cup
Croatia hasn’t been at its best, but it’s yet to be beaten in this year’s tournament.
Meanwhile, Croatia played out two goalless draws against Morocco and Belgium in their group, both sides of a comprehensive win over Canada.
The 2018 finalists aren’t quite there yet, but they’ve done enough to get past the group stage and still have a chance to go one step further than they did four years ago.
sports mail tells you everything you need to know about the clash between Japan and Croatia.
When is Japan vs Croatia?
The round of 16 clash between Japan and Croatia is on Monday, December 5 at 6:00 pm locally in Qatar.
It is 3pm in the UK, 10am in the US (EST) and 1am Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Date: Monday, December 5
start times: 6pm Qatar, 3pm UK, 10am US EST and 1am Australian Eastern Standard Time.
How to watch the game
In the UK, the match between Japan and Croatia will be broadcast live on BBC One. For those looking to stream the match, you will also be able to watch it on BBC iPlayer or on the BBC Sport website.
In the US, the fixture will air live on FOX, Universo, fubo TV, DirecTV Stream, Peacock Premium, Vidgo and Sling Blue.
Australian viewers can tune in to the game via SBS, which will televise all matches during the 2022 World Cup. SBS On Demand will also broadcast the fixture for those on the go.
If you can’t watch the game live, you can relive the action via the FIFA YouTube channel (worldwide). The official YouTube channel will post highlight videos after each game.
UK viewers can stream Monday’s game between Japan and Croatia using BBC iPlayer
Where is Japan vs Croatia played?
The round of 16 tie will be played at the Al Janoub Stadium, which has a capacity of just over 44,000 spectators.
The stadium opened in 2019 and the following year hosted the AFC Champions League final.
The venue has hosted six group stage matches in this year’s tournament, with Australia playing all three matches there, while Cameroon played two of their matches at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Neither Japan nor Croatia have yet played at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Land: Al Janoub Stadium
Location: Al-Wakrah, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium will host the round of 16 clash between Japan and Croatia
team news
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has not been afraid to rotate his team at the World Cup, and may feel he needs to do so again after his players made a big comeback against Spain on Thursday.
Japan only had 18 percent of the ball, but still managed to get past Spain. Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has been limited to a supporting role due to a hamstring problem, but he could return to start this knockout game. Japan also have to deal with a suspension as Ko Itakura is unavailable after picking up two yellow cards during the group stage.
Croatia played with the same team in their last two group games, and coach Zlatko Dalic has only used 12 different starters in this year’s tournament.
The European team’s midfield is widely seen as their strength, and Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic are likely to be relied on to try to lead Croatia to the quarter-finals.
Hajime Moriyasu could rely on the team’s depth after his team’s great effort against Spain
Ko Itakura (pictured above) is suspended for the round of 16 clash after being booked against Spain
Japan squad list:
Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt, Eiji Kawashima.
Defenders: Miki Yamane, Hiroki Sakai, Maya Yoshida, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo.
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Ao Tanaka, Gaku Shibasaki, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo, Yuki Soma.
Forward: Daizen Maeda, Takuma Asano, Shuto Machino, Ayase Ueda.
Croatia squad list:
goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic
defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo
midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic
Forward: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja
Zlatko Dalic has an established side and is unlikely to make many changes to his starting lineup
Croatia are likely to rely on the brilliance of their midfield, which includes Luka Modric.
head to head record
Japan and Croatia have met three times on the international stage, and all have been close contests.
The first time they met was in 1997 in the Japan Kirin Cup, with Japan winning a seven-goal thriller 4-3.
Croatia got their revenge the following year at the World Cup, winning 1-0 thanks to a late Davor Suker goal.
The two teams met again at the World Cup eight years later, playing out to a goalless draw in Germany.
Croatian icon Davor Suker scored the game-winning goal as Croatia beat Japan in the 1998 World Cup
Japan and Croatia results so far
Japan
Japan 2-1 Germany
Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Japan 2-1 Spain
Croatia
Croatia 0-0 Morocco
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
