FIFA World Cup 2022 – Japan vs Croatia, Round of 16, match preview, predicted lineups
Japan take on Croatia on Monday in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Round of 16 as the tournament moves ahead. Both teams will be looking for a win here.
Kick-off : 6:00 PM (Local)
Venue : Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Japan have been unbelievable in the group stages of this World Cup having beaten world class teams. They will aim for upsets in the knockouts to go all the way and win a World Cup in Asia.
The Samurai Blue’s defence have been solid of late and they will aim for clean sheets. In terms of the attacking front they require to be finishing games.
Boss Moriyasu might use a 4-2-3-1 system.
On the other hand, Croatia though undefeated in the group stages will be a bit disappointed on not topping Group F. They now aim to reach another World Cup final and even go one step further.
The Checkered Ones defence have been solid and they require same standards. In terms of attacks they aim for goals which they can get as much they strive for.
For the formation they must lineup in a 4-3-3 system.
Team news and possible lineups
Ko Itakura is suspended for Japan and won’t play in the Croatia encounter. While Takefusa Kubo is doubtful.
The Croats have Josip Stanisic out injured. And Borna Sosa is a doubt.
Croatia XI : Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barisic, Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric, Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic.
Japan XI : Gonda, Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Yoshida, Ito, Morita, Tanaka, Nagatomo, Doan, Maeda, Kamada.
Prediction
It should be a game of equals between both the two teams given their current form and Japan in Asia must be preferred but Croatia are a world class team. Despite all that to make Asian fans happy I see another big win for the Japanese with them progressing to the quarters with a 2-1 win.
