Soccer, Croatia, who will play against Japan in the first round of the final tournament of the World Cup Qatar tournament, practiced in Doha on the 3rd, and 37-year-old Luka Modric, who won the MVP = best player at the previous Russian tournament, etc. adjusted.
Croatia, ranked 12th in the world after finishing 2nd in Group F, will face Japan in the first round of the knockout stage on the 5th (local time) and 0:00 (JST) on the 6th.
On the 3rd, the players practiced in Doha city, and after relaxing their bodies by running, etc., Modric, who was the MVP of the Russia tournament and was the key to offense and defense, and 20-year-old Yosko Gbaldior, who was the center of defense, made a one-touch pass. It was adjusted by turning.
Defender Josip Juranovic, who had a press conference before the practice, said, "Japan won even if Spain had 80% possession of the ball, so the possession rate no longer matters. Japan played well as a team and is very fast, so we will respond. We need to prepare," he said, showing a sense of caution.
Defender Borna Sosa said, “Japan’s greatest strength is its strength as a team.
Croatian media
A man from a Croatian TV station reporting on the match between Japan and Croatia said, "Japan's defeat of Spain and Germany is a great achievement in the history of Japanese football. However, the story will come to an end someday." Did.
After that, he predicted, ``Croatia will keep the ball and Japan will aim for a counterattack. Japan is a team that never gives up.
A media man who distributes newspapers and video news predicted, "Japan is a very passionate team, so it will be a very tough match, but Croatia will win 1-0."