Japan are out of the World Cup at the round of 16 stage. Ko Itakura missed the defeat to Croatia on penalties due to suspension.
Ko Itakura (photo: imago images/ANP) had to watch his teammates take on the reigning World Cup runners-up from the stands in the round of 16. Borussia’s centre-back received two yellow cards in the group stages of the tournament and, therefore, was suspended for the first game of the knockout round. The 25-year-old witnessed his team start the game strongly and they took the lead on the stroke of half time (44’). However, only nine minutes after the restart, the “Blue Samurai” were picking the ball out of their net following Croatia’s headed equaliser. Former Bundesliga player, Ivan Periŝić was responsible for levelling the score.
There were no further goals across the rest of regulation time as well as extra time, and so the winner would be decided on penalties for the first time during this edition of the World Cup. Takimi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma were both denied by Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic, whose countrymen bagged their penalties away. Marko Livaja made things interesting when he hit the post. But when Maya Yoshida missed his side’s fourth attempt, Marjo Pasalic was able to send Croatia through to the quarter-finals after slotting his penalty.
Sommer & Elvedi take on Portugal
The last Foals left in the tournament have their own round of 16 match this evening as Switzerland face off against Portugal in Lusail.
