Two knockout round matches are being held in World Cup 2022 being held in Qatar tonight.
In the first match to start at 8:45 pm, Japan will face former runners-up Croatia.
Both the teams are giving their best performances so far.
Croatia had advanced to the final by defeating a strong team in the last World Cup, and four year later too, it seems determined claim the trophy.
On the other hand, Japan also advanced to the knockout round by defeating two former world champions in the group stage.
Both teams will be aiming to maintain their impressive performances when they kick off at 8:45 pm at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar.
While former runners-up Croatia will be aiming for the title, Japan will try to create history by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
In the group stage, Japan have performed well and are in high spirits after defeating former champions Germany and Spain.
After defeating Germany 2-1 in the first match, Japan defeated Spain 2-1 in another match. Former champions Germany had to return home following Japan's victory over Spain. Therefore, Japan can pose a great deal of hurdles for Croatia.
Group F runners-up Croatia also made it to the knockout round after remaining undefeated in the group. After a goalless draw with Morocco in the first match and defeating Canada 4-1 in the second match, Croatia made a goalless draw with Belgium in the last match, sending Belgium home from the group stage.
Croatia and Japan facing off for the third time in the World Cup. When they met for the first time in 1998, Croatia defeated Japan 1-0. In World Cup 2006, they played a goalless draw in the group stage. But lately both these teams are emerging as strong opponents.
Croatia, which had not participated in the first 15 World Cups, made history in the last World Cup and reached the finals. But the dream of winning the title for the first time was not fulfilled when they lost to France in the final.
Croatia will be looking to thrash Japan in their quest to make history and claim the World Cup trophy.
Japan started playing in the World Cup since 1998. They were eliminated from the group stage for the first time and made it to the knockout stage when they playing in the World Cup for the second time in 2002. Since then, Japan's journey to the World Cup has been full of ups and downs.
Japan reached the knockout stage in one World Cup and went home from the group stage in another. This trend continued in six World Cups for Japan.
Reaching the quarterfinals this time will be his historic success for Japan. Japan, which has been playing in the World Cup seven times in a row, is struggling to advance from the knockout stage.
.
