“The match was decided by penalty kicks, so it was a 50-50 chance for Japan to win or lose. I think the penalty shootout is like a random draw… It’s very disappointing to think that there was a 50% chance.” that Japan could have won,” he said.
The fans in turn grabbed their hair and booed with joy as they watched Japan score through Daigen Maeda in the 43rd minute, before Croatia’s Ivan Perisic scored an equalizer to put both teams 1-1 in the penalty shootout. Left tied at -1.
Spot kicks from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida were all saved by Croatia’s Dominik Livkovic. In the end, the Croatians secured victory when Mario Pasalic sent Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda the wrong way and a stunned silence ensued.
“It was so much fun to watch from beginning to end and it really left an impression on me,” said Ryosuke Kabe, 35.
“Every single player put it all on the line. It was motivating to see them all fighting with everything they had.”
