Football fans in Japan lamented that their team lost 3-1 on penalties to Croatia at the World Cup in Qatar, evaporating their dream of advancing to the quarter-finals.
Some Japanese fans watched the match in a sports bar in the capital, Tokyo, and the rain and midnight did not deter them from staying outside.
Fans were hoping Japan would reach the quarter-finals for the first time, but they were sorely disappointed.
“My heart broke,” said university student Shun Hasegawa, 21, in tears, describing the moment Japan lost on penalties.
“The penalty shootout decided the game. Japan had an equal chance of winning or losing. I think a penalty shootout is like doing a lottery. It breaks my heart every time I remember that Japan had a 50 percent chance of winning.”
Before that, the Japanese celebrated madly for their team’s lead through Daisen Maeda in the 43rd minute before Ivan Perisic equalized with a header 10 minutes after the start of the second half, but the two teams remained level for the rest of the grueling 120-minute encounter.
Dominik Levakovic, goalkeeper of Croatia, saved three attempts from the penalty mark to lead his country to a 3-1 victory over Japan on penalties and qualify for the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup for the third time.
Levakovic saved attempts by Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida in the penalty shootout before sending Mario Pasalic, Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda, to the wrong side to set up a meeting for the Croatian national team in the quarter-finals with Brazil.
“It was so much fun watching the match from start to finish,” said Ryusuke Kabe, 35. “I will never forget it.
“Every player gave his all and we are very pleased with the team’s performance.”
Japan came from behind amazingly to beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 to reach the knockout stage for the fourth time after starting the tournament with another surprise victory over Germany before losing to Costa Rica.