At the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday, Japan and Croatia will compete for a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. Japan upset the apple cart by finishing at the top of Group E, ahead of Spain and Germany, former champions.
With a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Spain in their final group game, the Blue Samurai advanced as group winners and secured their place in the last 16. The 2010 world champions led and appeared to be on track for a straightforward victory after Alvaro Morata’s header in the 11th minute.
However, Hajime Moriyasu’s team scored two quick goals in the first three minutes of the second half to turn the group around. Three minutes after making his debut, Ritsu Doan evened the score, and in the 51st minute, Ao Tanaka scored a controversial goal that was initially ruled out before the VAR intervened to put Japan ahead.
Japan vs Croatia Match Details :
- Japan – Croatia
- World Cup World
- Date – 05/12/2022
- Starting time – 15:00 UTC
- Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar
Japan vs Croatia Prediction :
When they entered Qatar, Croatia was one of the underdogs, but the 2018 runners-up haven’t lit up the stage. It could be a matter of Zlatko Dalic’s team progressing into the tournament, as the 12th-ranked team still has many players who have won the world championship.
With victories over global heavyweights Spain and Germany demonstrating that the Asians are no slouches, Japan has been one of the tournament’s revelations. After scoring all four goals in this tournament after the break, the Blue Samurai have perfected the art of winning games.
Prediction: Japan 1-1 Croatia (1-2 after extra time)
Japan vs Croatia Head to head :
At the World Cup, both teams will meet for the third time. In 2006, they were in Group F together and played to a goalless draw, which led to both team’s elimination from the group stage. They also met in Group H in 1998, when Croatia won by a score of 1-0 and finished third in their first World Cup appearance.
For the first time in its history, Japan wants to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Since their 3-0 loss to Austria in the UEFA Nations League, Croatia has not lost an international match. They are currently unbeaten in nine games. Three of Japan’s goals and one of their assists came from substitutes during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
When they advanced from the group stage the previous two times, Croatia advanced to the semifinals on each occasion. Croatia has lost three of its last four World Cup knockout games in extra time, falling behind each time before eventually winning.
Japan vs Croatia Betting tips :
- Tip 1 – Result: Draw (Croatia to win after extra time)
- Tip 2 – Both teams to score
- Tip 3 – Under 2.5 goals
- Tip 4 – First half result: Draw
- Tip 5 – Highest scoring half: Second half
Japan vs Croatia Lineups :
Japan:
- Gonda;
- Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Yoshida;
- Ito;
- Morita, Tanaka, Nagatomo;
- Doan, Maeda, Kamada
Croatia:
- Livakovic;
- Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barisic;
- Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric;
- Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic
Japan vs Croatia Where to Watch :
| Country | Channels |
| United Kingdom | BoxNation |
| Germany | DAZN, DAZN2 |
| United States | Fox Soccer Plus, ViX |
| France | Molotov, Free, L’Equipe, L’Equipe Web |
| Nepal | SONY TEN 3 HD, Sony LIV, SONY TEN 3 |
| India | JioTV, SONY TEN 3 HD, SONY TEN 3, Sony LIV |
| Sri Lanka | Sony LIV, SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD |