'He's the hero of his nation' -  Three-time World Cupper Okocha lauds Croatia goalkeeper 

Croatia have moved to the next stage of the 2022 World Cup after beating Japan 3-1 on penalties in a round of sixteen clash staged at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday evening.

Two minutes before halftime, Daizen Maeda netted from close range to open the scoring for the Samurai Blue but Ivan Perisic headed into the bottom corner to equalize for the 2018 World Cup runners-up in the 55th minute.

The two teams could still not be separated at the end of 120 minutes of football so penalties were used to determine who would go through to the quarterfinals. 

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero for the Croatians in the shootout, saving spot kicks from Minamino, Mitoma and Yoshida, while Marko Livaja was the only Croatian player unsuccessful from the spot with his effort hitting the post.

Three-time World Cupper Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has praised Livakovic for his penalty saving heroics, and refused to criticize the Japanese players for their tame efforts during the shootout. 

Speaking on SuperSport shortly after the game, Okocha said : "The consolation there is that they were on target. 

"You have to give the goalkeeper the credit of guessing right and making the needful saves.

"Deservedly he's the hero of his nation today."

Croatia will play the winner of the match between Brazil and South Korea in the quarterfinals on Friday, December 9 at the Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : fifa.com

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