Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 - Japan v Croatia - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 5, 2022 Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu speaks to his players after the match as Japan are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
AL WAKRAH, Qatar (Reuters) - Japan's players were devastated after Monday's agonising defeat on penalties by Croatia in the World Cup last 16 but coach Hajime Moriyasu opted to look towards a brighter future for his team in the years to come despite their disappointment.
Looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, Japan were the livelier side in the first half and took the lead through Daizen Maeda but they faded after Ivan Perisic headed Croatia level following the break and crumbled in the shootout.
