WELL PLAYED JAPAN

 

Image Credit- The Indian Express

This image of the Japanese Manager will stay in the memory of football fans for long. This was him after Japan was knocked out from the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022.  Though Round of 16 is not considered as a major achievement for the Western European and Latin American teams. However, this round of 16 achievement is special. Why? 

Japan was placed in the Group of Death alongside Germany, Spain and Costa Rica. No one gave them a chance. To be honest everyone thought that they will end fourth in the group. But to the surprise of everyone they topped the points table in the group stage. Furthermore, they won against both Germany and Spain. 

In the round of 16 they were facing 2018 FIFA World Cup runners up Croatia. To everyone's surprise they scored the opening goal of the game. But Croatia scored an equalizer in the second half. However, post then none of the team scored any more goal and the match went into the penalties. 

Eventually in the penalty shootout Croatia emerged victorious and the Japanese were knocked out of the World Cup. However, every football fan was feeling proud for what Japan has achieved. 

To be honest Croatia indeed won the game, but it was the Japanese side who won the hearts.