How Japan could line up against Croatia

The Borussia Monchengladbach defender picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in Thursday's 2-1 win over Spain, which sealed a first-placed finish in Group E for the Samurai Blue.

As a result, Itakura will take his place on the sidelines for this one, and he may be joined by Takefusa Kubo, who missed training on Saturday with muscular discomfort.

Moriyasu should stick with a three-man backline in front of Shuichi Gonda, who will most likely be protected by Maya Yoshida, Shogo Taniguchi and returning Arsenal man Takehiro Tomiyasu, although Hiroki Sakai is now back in training and could force his way back into the fold.

Veteran left-back Yuto Nagatomo was hooked at half time in the win over Spain, but his defensive experience will likely be required from the first whistle as Kaoru Mitoma plays the role of super sub once more.

Junya Ito will expect to hold his place on the right-hand side, as Ao Tanaka - the match-winner in Thursday's clash with Spain - links up with Hidemasa Morita in the middle. Stuttgart's Wataru Endo shook off a fitness concern to come off the bench in midweek and is another option in the engine room.

Just as they did against Germany, Japan's substitutes made all the difference in the win over Spain, and Ritsu Doan can feel confident of taking the place of Kubo from the first whistle.

Takuma Asano will push for a place too, but Daizen Maeda and Daichi Kamada should retain the trust of Moriyasu from the off.

Japan possible starting lineup: Gonda; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Yoshida; Ito; Morita, Tanaka, Nagatomo; Doan, Maeda, Kamada