Dominik Livakovic's shootout heroics no surprise to Croatia boss

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic was certain goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic would star in the penalty shootout victory over Japan as his three saves saw the 2018 finalists reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar.

Having never before reached the last eight of the competition, Japan fell at the same stage as they did in 2002, 2012 and 2018, losing 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw.

Celtic striker Daizen Maeda had put Japan in front just before half-time, only for Ivan Perisic to level with a fine header.

Four years ago they suffered a last-gasp loss to Belgium, having held a two-goal lead, and here at Al Janoub Stadium Japan saw their quarter-final ambitions go up in smoke following a string of dreadful penalties.

Livakovic kept out tame efforts from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida as Croatia squeezed through, the Dinamo Zagreb keeper equalling the record for the number of saves in a World Cup shootout.

But Dalic was confident his number one would shine.

"We had a fantastic goalkeeper. Today he was great, he saved each of the penalties in a very strong and stable manner," he said.

"We practised penalties in training yesterday and he made several saves. When he had the penalty shootout today I was assured, yesterday he installed this confidence and I was sure he would show that capacity today.

"We couldn't be dominant, but we have shown a strength of character. The Japanese might have underestimated us, never do that to Croatia. We are a small nation but we fight for what we want."

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