Japan has missed its chance to advance to the quarterfinals at the men's soccer World Cup in Qatar. The Samurai Blue lost to Croatia on penalties.
This was the third World Cup to pit Japan against Croatia which was the runner-up in 2018.
Japanese soccer fans are trying Croatian food at a restaurant in Tokyo, ahead of the Japan-Croatia match in the World Cup knockout stage.
Restaurant owner Kawasaki Satsuki opened "Dobro" in Tokyo's Chuo Ward after working in Niigata Prefecture during the Croatian national team's stay there in the 2002 World Cup. Japan and South Korea co-hosted that event.
In the men's soccer World Cup, Japan again came from behind to seize victory. Japan defeated former champion Spain 2-1 in a Group E match, advancing to the knockout stage.
Spain took the control of the game at the beginning, with Alvaro Morata scoring in the 11th minute.
Soccer fans in Tokyo cheered loudly when Japan beat Spain in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The victory secured Japan's advance to the knockout stage.
About 420 supporters gathered at a viewing venue in Tokyo's Minato Ward to watch the crucial match early on Friday morning. The game would determine whether Japan's Samurai Blue team would advance or drop out.
Japan's national soccer coach Moriyasu Hajime says the team did not fully implement its strategy during Sunday's FIFA World Cup loss to Costa Rica.
Speaking soon after the 0-1 defeat, Moriyasu said the squad managed not to concede a goal and also to find chances to score for most of the match. But he said Japan's strategy was only partially implemented until the final minutes.
Fans and supporters of the Japan squad are praying for the team's victory in the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament at a shrine which features the symbol of the Japan Football Association.
The symbol is a three-legged crow named "Yatagarasu." It is associated with the Kumano Kotai Shrine in the town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture.
Japan's soccer squad is preparing for its next match against Costa Rica on Sunday in the FIFA World Cup.
Japan ranks 24th in FIFA standings, while Costa Rica is 31st.
Japan's stunning World Cup comeback victory against Germany had Japanese fans apologizing on Twitter for underestimating the Samurai Blue -- including its head coach Moriyasu Hajime.
Fans tweeted before Wednesday's game between Japan and four-time champion Germany: "Even a draw against Germany would count as a major upset" and "Moriyasu doesn't inspire confidence."
German media have reacted with shock to the country's loss to Japan in their opening match at the World Cup soccer tournament in Qatar.
Wednesday's online edition of Sport Bild had a headline saying, "Debacle start for Germany!"
Japanese soccer fans are creating a buzz after a viral video showed them helping to clean up after the opening game of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Sunday.
Video creator Omar Farooq from Bahrain posted the footage.
Japan's soccer squad faces a crucial World Cup opener against four-time champions Germany. The Group E match is set for Wednesday in Qatar.
The Samurai Blue has a history of relying on first match results in the tournament.
Experts on infectious diseases have asked officials of Japan's pro baseball and soccer leagues to review how they will deal with any coronavirus cases among players or staff.
A joint taskforce of the organizers of the two sports held talks on Monday.
Officials of Japan's professional baseball and soccer leagues have agreed to welcome back fans to stadiums from Friday as scheduled, even as coronavirus numbers continue to rise.
The two sports' organizers held a joint task force meeting online on Monday that included infectious disease experts.
The top J1 division of Japan's professional soccer league, J.League, which postponed all official matches in February in response to the coronavirus outbreak, has resumed play without spectators.
At Saitama Stadium, where the match between Urawa Reds and Yokohama F. Marinos was held, league and club officials disinfected their hands and had their body temperatures measured with a thermograph.