Japan v Croatia teams
AL WAKRAH, Qatar : Following are the teams for the World Cup last 16 match between Japan and Croatia on Monday:
Dejan Lovren Sport News
Japan bring in Tomiyasu for Itakura, Croatia make two changes
AL WAKRAH, Qatar : Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu brought Takehiro Tomiyasu into his defence in place of the suspended Ko Itakura as one of three changes to his side for the World Cup last-16 game against Croatia on Monday.
Japan's smash and grab raiders come up against Croatian class
DOHA : Japan's sensational smash-and-grab raids at the World Cup have already seen off Germany and Spain, but in the last 16 on Tuesday they come up against a Croatia side who might just be a little too streetwise for a mugging.
‘Little Pep’ Gvardiol coming up big for Croatia at World Cup
DOHA: For 90 minutes, the hulking, masked mass that is Joško Gvardiol kept Belgium’s big-name strikers at bay with timely tackles — none bigger than his stop on Romelu Lukaku two minutes into stoppage time. Then the 20-year-old Croat who is fast becoming the most sought-after center back in Europe went over to the side of the field and reached up to embrace his mother and cry. The fact that Croatia conceded only one goal in their three group games at the World Cup is largely down to the performance of Gvardiol, who, despite his hefty stature, is nicknamed “Little Pep” because of the similarities of his last name with that of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Croatia v Belgium starting line-ups
AL RAYYAN, Qatar: Teams for the World Cup Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday (Dec 1).
Belgium drop Eden Hazard for crucial clash with Croatia
AL RAYYAN : Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has dropped captain Eden Hazard and resisted the temptation to start lead striker Romelu Lukaku in their decisive World Cup Group F fixture against Croatia on Thursday.
Croatia's Vlasic replaced by Livaja against Canada
DOHA : Croatia's Nikola Vlasic was left out of their starting side to face Canada in their second World Cup Group F game at Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.
Croatia can't dwell on the past as Canada test looms large
DOHA : Croatia's World Cup appearances have all resulted in group-stage exits or expectation-busting runs to the semi-finals or beyond, and while just one game into Qatar 2022 Sunday's match against Canada already has a make-or-break feel about it.