Japan vs Croatia : World Cup last 16 Match Thread 3pm 5/12/22

Japan must "fight like Samurai" when they face Croatia in the World Cup last 16 on Monday, says defender Yuto Nagatomo.

Japan stunned Spain and Germany to win Group E and reach the knockout stage for a fourth time.

Croatia, runners-up in 2018, stand in the way of Japan's first World Cup quarter-final.

Nagatomo said that "the first condition is to have courage" at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar.

"Before they go into battle they (Samurai) polish their weapons and try to improve their techniques," he said.

"But if they are scared during battle, they would not be able to use those weapons and techniques fully.

"It's exactly the same with football. Of course the tactics and techniques are important, but no matter how much we have improved those, if we are scared when we are on the field, those things are useless."

Bit racist tbh.

Japan will beat them.

Bonzai!

Hopefully they don’t feel the need to commit Seppuku.

Whatever happens it's Sony a game

Originally Posted by est.1878

Japan must "fight like Samurai" when they face Croatia in the World Cup last 16 on Monday, says defender Yuto Nagatomo.

Japan stunned Spain and Germany to win Group E and reach the knockout stage for a fourth time.

Croatia, runners-up in 2018, stand in the way of Japan's first World Cup quarter-final.

Nagatomo said that "the first condition is to have courage" at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar.

"Before they go into battle they (Samurai) polish their weapons and try to improve their techniques," he said.

"But if they are scared during battle, they would not be able to use those weapons and techniques fully.

"It's exactly the same with football. Of course the tactics and techniques are important, but no matter how much we have improved those, if we are scared when we are on the field, those things are useless."

Keep your content Safe for Work in this forum

Originally Posted by Chris Quayd

Keep your content Safe for Work in this forum

Linekar just strayed into awkwardness with it also..

Two best badges in the tournament? I'd say so.

I'd love to see a Korea vs Japan knockout game, the Koreans detest the Japanese, but as I know Brazil are nailed on to go through I'll hope to enjoy these & then get the popcorn out for the Argentina vs Brazil semi and all the shithousery that comes with it at the time

Fingers crossed for Japan today, Croatia are the epitome of meh these days - peaked at the last one, seem old & conservative in the extreme now.

Maeda up front for Japan is just a fraction slow to react to everything so far but it's a decent watch this.

0 - 0 HT

1 - 0 japan FT (88 mins)

I too shall be furiously polishing my weapon TONIGHT!

Why do the Japanese hate shooting/scoring goals?

He's dishonoured his family with that miss imo.

Their football is top notch, their execution of their football is a bit shit.

At last

Nice

Plenty quick enough there the lad!

Stick a boot out. You never know

Iplayer a good 3 minutes behind..

Knew ito endo in tears for Croatia

Balls

Great header though

Sensational header that, wow