“I don’t think we succumbed to pressure,” Japan's coach, Hajime Moriyasu, said. “I think the goalkeeper was great.”
This, too, was gut punch.
Croatia has been through growing pains. It crashed the World Cup party in 1998 by reaching the semifinals and, four years ago, showed greater nerve in not only winning in extra time or shootouts in the knockout stage, but doing so after conceding the first goal in regular time of each match. With few holdovers from the 2018 squad, Dalic said he told his team: “This is your chance to make history. We wrote the Croatian story in Russia and you have your chance now.”In the first half, Croatia’s possession was plentiful but unproductive. Japan maintained patience, and when opportunity arose, was quick to take the play to the Croatians. Junya Ito and Ritsu Doan worked the right flank and pressure grew, but Japan lacked expertise.
Nine minutes into the second half, without the slightest warning, the match was level. Dejan Lovren swung in a cross to Ivan Perisic for a clinical header from 12 yards that beat Shuichi Gonda to the far corner. His 33rd international goal tied him for second in Croatian history, a dozen behind the retired Davor Suker.Croatia was feeling good about itself. Luka Modric tested Gonda with an animated half-volley from 30 yards. Japan regrouped, but neither side made inroads through regulation.
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