Topics: Maya Yoshida, Japan, Croatia, FIFA World Cup
The Samurai Blue captain could not hold back the tears after his nation's gutting round of 16 exit, losing to the 2018 runners-up on penalties.

Japan's spectacular run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has come to an end.

After pulling off unforgettable wins over Germany and Spain in the group stage, the Samurai Blue showed their quality once again, this time impressing against 2018 runners-up Croatia in the round of 16.

In fact, it was the Asian giants who took the lead first, with Daizen Maeda scoring just before the break to cap off a dominant first half for the Japanese. However, the Vatreni are a quality side and as a result, Ivan Perisic equalized for Croatia, leading to a tight affair.

This game thus became the first match of Qatar 2022 to enter extra time as no team could find the winner. After 30 additional minutes, the two nations were still tied one-all and thus penalties were needed to decide the victor.

Despite taking off Modric, Kovacic, and Perisic in extra time, Croatia showed their experience, converting all but one of their spot kicks. Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Japan as they missed three out of the four penalties they took, thus crashing out of the tournament.

Maya Yoshida, the captain of the Japanese national team, was impeccable at the heart of his team's defense yet again. However, the skipper was one of the three players who missed from the spot, and as a result, the Schalke center-back could not fight back the tears during the post-match interview.

"We did everything we could do," the 34-year-old admitted during his heartbreaking full-time reaction. "They're a great team. We showed great spirit and performance throughout the tournament. We beat Germany, Spain, and played until extra time against the finalists from the previous World Cup. I'm very proud of my team and my teammates."

"The people in the stadium, watching on TV and all around the world... I would like to thank you all," the captain said before admitting that this defeat was "difficult to accept".

Yoshida later went on to discuss the hard work and sacrifice that took place behind the scenes following Japan's gutting 2018 FIFA World Cup exit against Japan, with the Samurai Blue losing with the final kick of the game. Nonetheless, their time at the tournament has sadly come to an end.

Croatia move on to the quarterfinals where they will face Brazil or South Korea. Japan, meanwhile, should head back home with their heads held high after producing two of the tournament's biggest upsets and entertaining fans all across the globe.