Croatia Goalkeeper Livakovic Saves Three Penalty Shots in Shootout
[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Japan was eliminated after a fierce battle with Croatia in the Round of 16. The match went to a penalty shootout after a draw in regular and extra time, but the luck of victory favored Croatia.
On the 6th (Korean time) at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, Japan faced Croatia and ended with a 1-1 draw, proceeding to a penalty shootout where they lost 1-3. Thus, Japan's World Cup run ended with their record of reaching the Round of 16.
After a close contest, Japan scored the opening goal. In the 43rd minute of the first half, during a corner kick, Doan Ritsu lifted the ball with his left foot, and inside the penalty area, Yoshida Maya touched the ball, which then flowed to Maeda Daizen who scored with a left-footed shot into the opponent's net.
Croatia responded with a goal 10 minutes later. Dejan Lovren delivered a ball that Ivan Peri?i? headed in to equalize. With this goal, Peri?i? succeeded in scoring in three consecutive tournaments. Previously, Peri?i? scored 2 goals in the 2014 Brazil World Cup and 3 goals in the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Afterwards, there were threatening moments but no goals. In the 18th minute of the second half, Croatia's Luka Modri? fired a powerful right-footed long-range shot, but it was blocked by Japan's goalkeeper Gonda Shuichi. In the 10th minute of extra time, Japan's Mitoma Kaoru dribbled from inside the half-line to the opponent's penalty area and attempted a strong shot, but it was also blocked by Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovi?. In the second half of extra time, Lovro Majer’s right-footed shot from the center was threatening but did not find the net.
Ultimately, the match went to a penalty shootout. Japan's kickers were Minamino Takumi, Mitoma Kaoru, Asano Takuma, and Yoshida Maya, but except for Asano Takuma's shot, all were blocked by Croatia's goalkeeper Livakovi?, resulting in Japan's failure to advance to the quarterfinals.
For Croatia, except for Marko Livaja's shot that hit the post, Nikola Vla?i?, Marcelo Brozovi?, and Mario Pa?ali? all successfully scored their shots.
Croatia, the runner-up of the 2018 Russia World Cup, will face the winner of the upcoming match between Korea and Brazil in the quarterfinals.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
