Soccer-Fans lament end of Japan's brave run in World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Fans in Tokyo watch Japan v Croatia - Tokyo, Japan - December 6, 2022 Japan fans react as they watch the penalty shootout at the Bee bar REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan supporters lamented the team's 3-1 penalty shootout loss to Croatia at the World Cup in Qatar, crushing their nation's dream of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Some Samurai Blue fans watched the match in a Tokyo sports bar, undeterred by the rain and a midnight start. They booked their seats at the bar in hopes of witnessing Japan reach the last eight for the first time, but were sorely disappointed.