00:02Stiemanns.
00:06And...
00:06Well, Stanic felt that he had his shirt pulled out, and he was right.
00:19It is Schuker!
00:25Agonisingly close, and he is very one-footed.
00:30But what a foot.
00:3530 goals in 35 internationals.
00:39Here's a chance for Japan, though, with Shoji Jo.
00:45Still not away. Soma.
00:51Croatia still seem to be turning over in their minds the closeness of Schuker's free kick.
00:56As first Shoji Jo bore down on goal and then, with the follow-up,
01:03Soma was equally close.
01:05Just as close as Schuker had been at the other end a few seconds before.
01:15But here's a chance, this is Stanic!
01:35There's an edge kick.
01:39Dispossessed by Nakata.
01:43Here's the dynamic force in this team, and here's Nakayama with a chance!
01:47Good save by Ladic.
01:49Very good save indeed.
01:51But Nakayama beats the ground in frustration.
01:54Because Japan are unlikely to get too many better opportunities than that.
01:59It was a wonderful pass by Nakata.
02:02And Nakayama did virtually everything right.
02:09Asanovic.
02:13Stanic.
02:14Only Schuker to aim for, and here is Davos Schuker.
02:17Who couldn't untangle the ball from beneath his feet.
02:21And is calling for more support.
02:25He desperately needed someone to lay it off to.
02:28With his back to goal.
02:39Oh, poor ball by Akita.
02:40And this is a chance for Schuker.
02:42Who's outpaced Ihara.
02:44It's on his favoured left.
02:45But the tackle came in from Nakanishi.
02:48And it was a goal-saving tackle.
02:51It had to be time to perfection.
02:55Otherwise either Schuker would have been in,
02:57Or else it would have been a penalty and Nakanishi would have received the red card.
03:03Absolutely perfectly timed.
03:13Nakata.
03:20Asanovic.
03:23Nakata won't be denied.
03:24There was some shirt-pulling going on, but...
03:26It was being committed by the Croatian.
03:28Nakata again.
03:33Referee allows play to continue.
03:36Yamaguchi.
03:41Soma.
03:42Infield to Nanami.
03:43And Shoji Jo.
03:51Well, Dario Simic and his colleagues, I think, know now.
03:56That they're in for a considerable tussle.
04:02Japan are neither orthodox nor at all fearful.
04:07The England coach amongst those watching on.
04:09Croatia are possible second-round opponents for England.
04:16Bozinec.
04:18Bozinec.
04:19Bozinec.
04:20Yarni outside him.
04:21But he'll try and...
04:23within shooting range if he possibly can himself.
04:25He can't, so this is Yarni.
04:27Based by Nara Hashi.
04:33Well, Glavich is appealing there was a bit of holding down going on.
04:36And also asking him passing for a corner.
04:40But between him, he and Shuka couldn't turn the ball goalward.
04:43Shuka too thought there was some pulling and pushing going on.
04:51Nara Hashi.
04:54Three inside the penalty area.
04:57And they haven't picked up Nara Hashi.
04:59And it doesn't matter because he's offside.
05:07Shuka.
05:08Still double Shuka!
05:13Well, we've seen him try that sort of finish before.
05:16And last time it worked against Denmark.
05:19Memorably.
05:20In Euro 96.
05:22And he's unlucky on that occasion.
05:27Nakata.
05:30Nakata's influence has waned somewhat.
05:32Asanovic tried to feed it through.
05:35And it's Asanovic again.
05:37And Shuka!
05:39It's crept in.
05:41And with just over 13 minutes remaining.
05:45Damor Shuka scores his 31st international goal.
05:49In only his 36th international.
05:53And the hopes of Croatia are alive and well.
05:58As they look at a place in the second phase.
06:03But the direction of the cross left Nakanishi stranded.
06:07And the goalkeeper might well have done better.
06:10He didn't.
06:12And Shuka has put Croatia in front at long last.
06:26Well into stoppage time now.
06:29And a place in round two.
06:32Awaits.
06:37That's it.
06:40So thanks to Dabo Shuka's goal.
06:43Croatia are all but assured of a place in the second round of these World Cup finals.
06:49This goal towards the end of a scrappy second half.
06:53Enough to see off the challenge of a brave Japanese team.
06:56Who have lost both their games now by one goal to nil.
07:01And that means that they are now all but out of the World Cup.
07:07They must wait for tomorrow's result between Argentina and Jamaica.
07:12Before knowing if their final group fixture against Jamaica in Lyon next week.
07:17Is going to carry any significance at all.
07:21But for Croatia.
07:22A notable achievement.
07:23Only six years after rejoining the international footballing fold.
07:28Dabo Shuka is their leading scorer.
07:31And today in Nantes he has produced again.
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