Japan eliminated from World Cup after penalty shootout defeat to Croatia

AL WAKRAH, Qatar: The impregnable wall still stands.

The wall of the round of 16, as it is known in Japan.

Three times the Samurai Blue have progressed from the group stages at the World Cup, and all three times ended in defeat. Each time more painful than the other.

At the last World Cup, Japan went 2-0 up against Belgium, only to concede three goals - the last of which was in stoppage time.

Fast forward four years, and there would be more agony for Hajime Moriyasu’s men as they fell to wily campaigners Croatia at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday (Dec 5) after losing 3-1 on penalties.

The irrepressible Daizen Maeda put the Samurai Blue ahead before Ivan Perisic dragged the 2018 tournament runners-up level.

But a shootout defeat would sink Japanese hopes and book Croatia’s place in the quarter-finals where they will face either Brazil or South Korea.

A side that needs little possession to make a big impact, Japan set up as they had against Germany and Spain, letting their opponents have the ball before hitting them on the counter-attack.

Takehiro Tomiyasu would come in for the suspended Kou Itakura, while the lively Ritsu Doan would start instead of Takefusa Kubo. 

Wataru Endo also made the starting eleven replacing match-winner Ao Tanaka.

With just two minutes on the clock, Japan were inches away from a dream start as Shogo Taniguichi’s header off a set-piece dropped wide.

As Croatia began to flex their midfield muscle, Tomiyasu would almost hand them an opportunity on a plate.

Shrugged off the ball by Perisic on the edge of the area, the fullback appealed in vain, as Croatian motored into the penalty box. But Shuichi Gonda made himself look large, and Japan survived.

While the Samurai Blue threatened with their pace on the wings,