Japan to reach World Cup QFs for first time ever
Having seen the four favourites in the last 16 games played at the time of writing all win, Japan will be more than ready to buck that trend when they take on Croatia at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday evening. The victors will face either Brazil or South Korea in their quarter final bracket. Should the latter prevail against the odds, there is a very real prospect of a first all-Asian match at the World Cup, let alone the knockout stage, taking place. Having already beaten Germany and Spain, Samurai Blue will simultaneously not be overawed by Zlatko Dalić's men, many of whom reached the final last time, but nor will they will fear them either. Read our preview here:
A fish called Gonda
Having perhaps inflicted the biggest shocks and most transformative tactical switches of any nation remaining in the competition, head coach Hajime Moriyasu will be feeling more secure in his position than he would've been prior to the event in Qatar beginning. His squad is replete with pacy, attack-minded players in wide areas and up front who can break the lines, and this abundance of talent makes it difficult to pin down just who will start, though the likes of Takuma Asano and Ritsu Doan are the most likely to get the nods. Just as key will be whether he opts for a back three or four to protect goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. The custodian has looked equal parts formidable and flappy, and the hordes of fans watching back home won't want the reason their beloved side are eliminated to be another mistake. Takehiro Tomiyasu might be fit enough to be named in the XI (which would be timely given Ko Itakura is suspended), and his aerial ability will be crucial in repelling crosses fired into the penalty area.
Liv and let die
Dalić has a half-fit Romelu Lukaku's woeful finishing to thank for Kockasti remaining in the competition; the Belgian frontman fluffed four golden opportunities to ensure the 0-0 draw between the two teams was sufficient to set up this meeting. He has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, and most of the starting lineup pick themselves on form and experience. 20 year old centre back Josko Gvardiol continues to grow in stature on the biggest stage of them all in men's football, and his maturity on the ball will be sorely tested by the Japan forwards' pressing. Elsewhere, Marko Livaja could be the focal point of the trio in attack, with Andrej Kramarić nominally on the right but in close support, particularly when crosses come in. The former will want to add to his strike he managed against Canada, though he is likely to come up against a far more organised and structured backline.
Betting tip
Having come back from behind against Germany and Spain to win, Croatia will be more than aware of what Japan are capable of. In Luka Modrić, Marcelo Brozović, and Mateo Kovačić, they possess one of the best multi-disciplined midfields in the world... if given time on the ball. If they're unable to dictate play for large stretches of the game, it could be their undoing. Casumo have odds of 2.45 for Japan to get through by any means, which would mean their greatest ever performance at a World Cup was a certainty, as well as setting up a possible showdown with rivals South Korea.
