Eliminated “Samurai Blue” in World Cup’s Deja Vu

Japan seemed to be enduring in an unwanted déjà vu as it yet again failed to advance beyond the last-16 of the World Cup. The “Samurai Blue” lost to Croatia 1-3 in a penalty shootout.

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Croatian players run after securing victory on penalties shootout against Japan in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup at the Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar, Monday (5/12/2022). Croatia advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Japan 4-2 (1-1) on penalties.

AL WAKRAH, KOMPAS — Japan seemed to be enduring in an unwanted déjà vu as it yet again failed to advance beyond the last-16 of the World Cup. In its fourth opportunity to appear in the last-16 round of the World Cup currently underway in Qatar, the “Samurai Blue” lost to Croatia 1-3 in a penalty shootout at the Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah on Monday (5/12/2022), after the two teams played 1-1 draw at normal and extra time.

On previous three occasions, Japan was stopped by Turkey when it co-hosted the 2002 edition with South Korea. It lost on penalties to Paraguay in South Africa 2010, and crashed to Belgium in Russia 2018.