Japan vs Croatia times, how to watch on TV, stream online, World Cup 2022
Having advanced to the knockout phase by the slimmest of margins, Croatia will have to bring their A-game against a Japanese side that’s already beaten two former world champions.
Japan will meet Croatia at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar on Monday 5th, December 2022 with kickoff set for 10:00 a.m. ET.
You can watch Japan vs Croatia live stream on FuboTV (free trial available)
You can also watch Japan vs Croatia live stream with Spanish commentary on Peacock
When does Japan vs Croatia kickoff?
The Round of 16 match between Japan and Croatia is set for Monday 5th, December 2022 and kicksoff is at the following times:
- 10:00 a.m. ET
- 7:00 a.m. PT
How to watch Japan vs Croatia?
If you’re watching on TV, then you can find Japan vs Croatia on the following channels:
- FOX Sports
- Telemundo
You can watch Japan vs Croatia live stream on FuboTV (free trial available)
You can also watch Japan vs Croatia live stream with Spanish commentary on Peacock
Japan vs Croatia: The lay of the land
The Blue Samurai are now giant killers
Given the manner in which they topped a group that contained both Germany and Spain with wins over each, it’s safe to say that Japan come into the Last 16 tie with Croatia brimming with confidence. Hajime Moriyasu’s men have taken the football world by storm during this World Cup with their disciplined and high-energy performances against two former world champions. Indeed, it would take a brave man to bet against them rising to the occasion one more time as they look to secure their first ever quarter final appearance.
Is Croatia still warming up?
It’s hard to believe that Croatia were runners-up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Led by the evergreen Luka Modric, the side is largely the same as it was four years ago and quite frankly, it shows. The Croatians have a pair of goalless draws and one win in their tournament account so far and to be honest, probably wouldn’t be in the Round of 16, were it not for Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku, who failed to score a number of point-blank chances. This is all to say, that while there is obvious quality in the squad, it just doesn’t feel like Croatia has actually got going in Qatar. If they’d like to avoid a trip back home, they’ll need to change that right now.
Japan vs Croatia: The Prediction
If you wanted to teach a team how to counter attack, a video of Japan’s game would probably be useful. Not only are the Blue Samurai second half specialists, they’ve also got a wealth of talent in reserve who have proven that they are more than willing to make an instantaneous impact. Truth be told, Japan has every right to feel they can take down yet another European power when they meet Croatia on Monday. Even more so when considering how goal shy Croatia has been. On the other hand, if there’s one thing that coach Zlatko Dalic’s side does well, it’s defend. That’s to say that while we do expect goals in this game, we get the feeling that Japan will find it tough going when it comes to scoring more than one. We’re going with a 1-1 draw in this one and Japan to lose to the more experience Croatia on penalties.
Japan vs Croatia: History
Japan and Croatia have actually met on 19 occasions, with the last coming back in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. On that day they played out a goalless draw in Group F’s second game and in the end were both eliminated as they finished bottom of the group and third respectively. Now set to face each other in the last 16, the stakes are as high as ever with a spot in the quarter finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the line. Expect drama.
