DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo has informed his teammates they’ll want to indicate “samurai spirit” in Monday’s round-of-16 match in opposition to Croatia on the World Cup.
They usually’ll want one other high quality that Nagatomo discovered enjoying for nearly a decade in Italy, largely with Inter Milan.
“Coraggio,” Nagatomo mentioned. “We have to play with braveness.”
– Commercial –
Japan is showing within the knockout stage for the fourth time and nonetheless looking for its first win. It rallied in group play to beat each Germany and Spain — two former world champions — 2-1 but in addition stumbled to a 1-0 loss in opposition to Costa Rica.
Croatia, the smallest nation within the closing 16 with a inhabitants of solely 4 million, was the runner-up 4 years in the past in opposition to France and completed third in 1998.
May the third time be the appeal?
“Why not,” mentioned Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.
That is Nagatomo’s fourth World Cup, and he recollects how Japan led Belgium 2-0 in a spherical of 16 match 4 years in the past in Russia, however was eradicated 3-2 on a purpose scored late in second-half stoppage time.
“I’ve by no means forgotten,” Nagatomo mentioned, earlier than returning to the topic of Japanese samurai warriors as a metaphor for Japan’s World Cup marketing campaign.
“They attempt to enhance their strategies,” he mentioned. “But when they’re scared throughout the battle they will be unable to make use of their weapons and strategies totally.”
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu mentioned the loss to Belgium was a precious lesson for his crew.
“That have was very treasured and we will mirror on what we discovered in that match with Belgium,” he mentioned.
Dalic mentioned his crew might be effectively ready; they’ve seen many Japan gamers in motion within the German league.
“They’ll apply the samurai philosophy of their recreation,” he mentioned. “We will even do our half. We all know how necessary this match is for us. We all know who the opponent is. We all know their mentality. If we need to go father we should apply that very same customary, that very same angle.”
Croatia superior with 0-0 attracts in opposition to Belgium and Morocco, which got here both facet of a 4-1 victory over Canada.
Actual Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, the world participant of the 12 months in 2018, stays the heartbeat of a crew whose skilled midfield is often a match for any opponent however which nonetheless lacks a prolific scorer up entrance.
Every recreation the 37-year-old Modric performs any more might be his final at a World Cup.
The winner Monday faces both five-time champion Brazil or South Korea within the quarterfinals.