Japan vs Croatia - Round of 16, 5th December

[foxes_rule1978]

Very good goal from Croatia lovely header and cross 

[StanSP]

That's a fantastic header. 

[Chester Dontlie]

That's a well taken header 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Ivan the terrible to the rescue. Top header. 

 

Where is Rebic and Rakitic? Are they injured? 

[Super_horns]

Outstanding header - game on .

[David Hankey]

Superb header!!

[Finnegan]

Credit where its due that's a fantastic finish. 

[StanSP]

Just now, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Ivan the terrible to the rescue. Top header. 

 

Where is Rebic and Rakitic? Are they injured? 

Rakitic retired a few years ago! No idea about Rebic. 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Just now, StanSP said:

Rakitic retired a few years ago! No idea about Rebic. 

Really? I thought he was at Sevilla? Rebic must be injured, he'd surely be up front otherwise. 

[StanSP]

Just now, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Really? I thought he was at Sevilla? Rebic must be injured, he'd surely be up front otherwise. 

Retired internationally

 

[Finnegan]

Rebic hasn't played for Croatia since the euros. 

 

He doesn't get a lot of game time at club level. 

 

Edit: and he's mostly shit. The forwards Croatia have at this WC are all mostly more prolific. I mean Orsic can barely get on the pitch and he's been a monster in European games for Zagreb. 

 

Edited 5 December 2022 by Finnegan

[Guest StevieLynex]

How come Kendo Nagasaki qualifies to play for Croatia in defence

[Arriba Los Zorros]

1 minute ago, StanSP said:

Retired internationally

 

 

1 minute ago, Finnegan said:

Rebic hasn't played for Croatia since the euros. 

 

He doesn't get a lot of game time at club level. 

Thanks both, appreciate answers. They could do with both playing in this game I reckon. Especially Rebic, he always looked class for Croatia. 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

A brief thirty seconds about a minute or so again where the crowd was borderline silent, you can feel the nerves Clive 

[Finnegan]

1 minute ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

 

Thanks both, appreciate answers. They could do with both playing in this game I reckon. Especially Rebic, he always looked class for Croatia. 

 

Rebic is your classic flatter to deceive, Dennis Praet, Marc Albrighton style guy. Runs around a lot but just doesn't put up the numbers. Like Maeda for Japan tbf. 

 

He's better as a wider player. They definitely could use his sort of energy though they are sluggish in attack. But he's not prolific. 

 

[foxes_rule1978]

Close. Good play by Kramaric 

[StanSP]

Been impressed with Ito at RB for Japan today. 

 

Very pacy and if he was younger I'd love for us to sign him. 

[Raj]

Gotta love the japs( am I okay yo say that nowadays!?)

Good fans, decent people and good attacking footy.

Hope they get through 

[Jonezy]

So no moaning about letting Kramaric go today? We only do that when he plays an occasional blinder right?

[StanSP]

Great interception from Doan. 

[foxes_rule1978]

Got to just hit it there 

[moore_94]

Should've shot 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Tomiyasu has the bone structure of a cartoon, a face carved from stone you have to say

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Croatia a shadow of themselves from last world Cup. Still technically probably one of the best midfields around, they are so comfortable in possession but they lack pace and penetration and look quite easy to defend against. Shades of LCFC about them actually! 

[Samilktray]

Been very disappointed with the lack of bleached blonde hair in this Japanese team for this tournament