Administrator Stan Posted December 2, 2022 Administrator Share Posted December 2, 2022 Kick-off 15.00 (GMT) VS Venue - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toinho Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Honestly - I haven’t watched either team play yet so really not sure. Would love a Japan win though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 2, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 2, 2022 16 minutes ago, Toinho said: Honestly - I haven’t watched either team play yet so really not sure. Would love a Japan win though. If Japan can take the approach and attitude from their Germany/Spain wins, then I'd back them to overcome Croatia. I know Croatia needed to only avoid defeat against Belgium, who were shite, but they struggled against Morocco too. Canada were very open so the game was there for the taking, but Japan seem to have more discipline and stronger shape. I think it'll be a close, narrow game regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Usually I'd tip Croatia to win this one, but with the way Japan have been playing, I think that this will be quite a balanced encounter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 2, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 2, 2022 Think Japan edge past Croatia here. When I watched Croatia play Belgium there was a certain lack of finishing power up top and Japan have a defensive unit that can play very good when they are challenged to do so. The real question for Japan is what version of their team shows up on the day. They are prone to a lot of errors in their midfield game and forcing situations that really don't need to be forced. If Croatia score more than a goal in the first half it will be very hard for Japan to recover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASF Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Would love to see another upset by Japan, but I think that Croatia's experience will prevail in the end. 0-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6666 Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 Everything's gone as expected in the round of 16 so far. Would be nice to get at least one upset. Croatia are a smart side though and they'll be favourites but can't count out this Japan side. Hopefully Japan actually start the game well this time rather than rely on the bench to save then again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Profesor Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 On 02/12/2022 at 10:01, Mel81x said: Think Japan edge past Croatia here. When I watched Croatia play Belgium there was a certain lack of finishing power up top and Japan have a defensive unit that can play very good when they are challenged to do so. The real question for Japan is what version of their team shows up on the day. They are prone to a lot of errors in their midfield game and forcing situations that really don't need to be forced. If Croatia score more than a goal in the first half it will be very hard for Japan to recover. I agree, I also think Japan will win this one. Croatia is a good team but most of their players are big and slow. IMO they won't be able to match Japan's energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Pyfish+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 Hoping for a good game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 5, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 5, 2022 Think Perisic could/should have squared that or cut it back. Too tight an angle to deceive the keeper and score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 Japan are harrying here. This could be a good thing in the long run. One of those low crosses is going to find a foot eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 5, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 5, 2022 2nd time Croatia have got in behind and then made the wrong decision. Petkovic almost blind to the fact he had a strike partner busting a gut waiting for the cross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 These missed chances are going to hurt Croatia in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 5, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 5, 2022 Very even game - Jenas, surprisingly, made a good point in that it'll probably remain cagey or 'go the distance' into extra-time because the attacking quality of both sides leaves a lot to be desired. Both sides have a lot of the ball in midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 Well that's a defensive fuck-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 One-Punch-Man scores a goal. He's been very lively today, just jumps on every opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 5, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 5, 2022 GOAL JAPAN!!!! Maeda picks up on a ball bouncing in the box after a well-worked corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Pyfish+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 That was a fantastic ball into the box! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 This Japanese team has learned from its mistakes. Against Spain they were simply being dragged around and not really applying pressure and while Croatia is slower compared to the Spaniards you have to admire the work ethic on display here. Some of the recoveries from lost positions has been a great watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 5, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 5, 2022 What a header by Perisic! And what a cross in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 Now we have a game. Great goal by Perisic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Pyfish+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 Extra time it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted December 5, 2022 Author Administrator Share Posted December 5, 2022 Croatia love extra time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted December 5, 2022 Subscriber Share Posted December 5, 2022 If you're Japan you throw everything at them now. So many tired legs out there something will give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 Croatia struggling in attack, simply not got a top level striker. I also think both sides look shattered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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