Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Japan
Match Time & Date:
05/12/2022
11:00 AM
Prediction: 0-2
Croatia
After coming from behind to shock Spain in their last group game, Japan will look to claim yet another major scalp at the 2022 World Cup finals when they face Croatia in the last 16. The Samurai Blue are high on spirits ahead of Monday’s clash, but they will have a big fish to fry against Zlatko Dalic’s troops. Midfielder Ritsu Doan, who scored as a substitute against La Roja, should be recalled to the starting XI, while defender Ko Itakura serves a one-game ban.
Meanwhile, the Croats booked their place in the knockout stages thanks to a goalless draw with Belgium. Luka Modric and Co. were producing fine displays in Group F, and seeing that Zlatko Dalic has a full squad to choose from, we are tempted to put our money on the European side. It has to be noted that the two teams played out a goalless draw at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.
Highlighted Player (Luka Modric):
Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football. The Croatian ace is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth school and it has to be noted that he played 94 league games for the Modri between 2003 and 2008. In 2008 he signed a six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £16.5 million.
Luka made his Tottenham debut on 16 August, 2008 in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. The Croatian star scored only 13 goals in 127 league appearances for the Spurs, but he is well known for his brilliant passing. In 2012 he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of £30 million and he made his debut against Barcelona in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup, return leg.
Modric quickly established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, he helped the capital club win two Champions League trophies (2013/2014, 2015/2016). You should bear in mind that he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
Highlighted Team (Japan):
Japan national team have been making progress year by year. The Samurai Blue are regarded as one of the best Asian teams and they have established themselves as the regular participants of the FIFA World Cup finals. Japan qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France for the first time in the national team’s history, but they have been taking part at the showpiece tournament ever since.
The Samurai Blue then co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea and they did well to make it to the last 16 of the major tournament. The Japanese national team repeated the success eight years later in South Africa, where they were beaten by Paraguay on penalties in the last 16.
It has to be noted that Japan are the only Asian team that participated in the Copa America, with the team taking part in the 2009 and the 2011 tournament. The Samurai Blue wear blue shirts and blue shorts when playing at home, whereas their away kits are grey-white.
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