AL WAKRAH: Croatia advanced to the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar after defeating Japan 3-1 via penalties after both sides were levelled 1-1 at the end of scheduled playtime.
With both teams failing to score a goal in the extra time, the match was to be decided via penalty shootout.
Japan took the first penalty, but missed it and their second too. Croatia converted their next two penalties, with Nikola Vlasic and Marcelo Brozovic scoring to make it 2-0. Takuma Asano scored one for Japan in their third chance. Livaja missed their third penalty. Yoshida's penalty was saved by Croatian goalie Livakovic. Mario Pasalic converted Croatia's fourth penalty that also ensured victory of Croatia.
Earlier in the 8th minute, Croatia's Ivan Perisic was denied an early close-range goal by goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. Andrej Kramaric also got his chance, but three Japanese defenders surrounded him and denied him a shoot. In the first ten minutes, it was Croatia which enjoyed bulk of ball possession but was even with Japan in terms of attacking as both sides registered shots on target.
Japan got its moment of joy in the 43rd minute when a short corner by them resulted in a goal. At the end of half-time, the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of the Asian country.
Croatia kept making inroads into the Japan's box in the second half, chasing an equaliser. Their perseverance met a well-deserved conclusion as Ivan Perisic made the scoreline even. The experienced striker hit his 6th World Cup from 16 yards away with a stunning header. A cross from Dejan Lovren found him and Perisic wasted no time in using his powerful head to restore his side's chances in the 55th minute. (ANI)
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