Fans lament end of Japan’s brave run in World Cup
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. Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Round of 16 – Japan v Croatia – Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar – December 5, 2022 Japan fans react after the penalty shootout as Japan are eliminated from the World Cup. Photo: Reuters “My mind went blank … I had no emotion whatsoever,” 21-year-old university student Shun Hasegawa said on Tuesday with tears welling up in his eyes as he described the moment Japan lost the shootout. “The match was decided by a penalty kick, so it was a 50-50 chance for Japan to win or lose. I think penalty shootouts are a bit like a random draw … it’s just so frustrating to think that there was a 50% chance that Japan could have won,” he added. Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 –