Today two Asian teams Japan and Korea will play their matches. Japan has more chance to win than Korea because Croatia is still an easier opponent than Brazil. I don't mean Croatia is weak but Brazil is at higher level. In addition, if Japan meets Brazil, they will have higher probability to lose than Korea.
Because the tactic, formation and techniques of Japan players are like copy versions from Brazil players. But Japan is at lower level and with similar style, chance to lose for Japan would be bigger.
With Croatia, Japan can play counter attacking and wait for some non focusing minutes from Croatia. Japan can beat Croatia just like how they won Germany and Spain with some goals within few minutes.
Croatia is no longer like four years ago where they looked so stunning plus their players are considered to be of a mature age whereas now most of the Croatian players are of course against Japan which in fact they can be said to have the current golden generation, so it is very difficult for Croatia to keep up. Discussing Japan's meeting with Brazil, we'll have to wait and see after these 2 matches are over, considering that it's very difficult to determine now that both of them have the same chance with a strong game.
Japan strength in the 2022 World Cup cannot be underestimated. Japan has given a big surprise when they beat Germany and Spain to qualify from the group stage. Amazingly, Japan can always come back to reverse the situation. Japan are eager to repeat their success against Germany and Spain, a win over Croatia could send them into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Japan must be wary of the surprises that Croatia can give, even though they qualify for the play-offs as runners-up, Croatia will be a formidable opponent for Japan. The defense needs to be defended by Hajime Moriyasu in the match vs Croatia, because in the group stage they have conceded three goals.
The great performance from Japan cannot be separated from the important figure of Hajime Moriyasu, I am not very familiar with this coach but what he gave for Japan was extraordinary. He seems to have a good instinct when to change players and when the opportunity will appear and then it will score a goal. I hope he gives good formations, strategies and instructions in this match, especially against Croatia is also not easy.
You see, it looks like there will be interesting surprises in the match this time. I wouldn't say this match was even, but I don't see Croatia going easy on winning this game even though on top of that they are actually better than Japan.
Luca Modric is indeed old, but he can still provide something that is needed by the team. We'll be seeing them in action in a few hours.
I agree with you that there is a chance this game will go to overtime. Who from these two countries will follow the Netherlands, Argentina, France and England to the quarter-finals.
Yes, if you look at the previous matches from each of these countries, it is almost impossible who will win in 90 minutes, therefore there is the possibility of extra time and even penalty shoot-outs that could occur in this match. Regardless of who will follow to the quarter-finals, everything will be difficult because their opponents are getting stronger.