Dominik Livakoviæ celebrating Croatian win in a difficult match with Japanese football players
Croatian football players celebrating. Photo by Jan Mullan, Getty Images.
Croatia defeated Japan 3-1 (1-1) in penalty shootout to book quarter-finals
Both Japan and Croatia squandered a few early opportunities to score. But, just minutes before the half-time whistle, Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Japan from a well-worked corner kick. Early into the second-half, Ivan Perisic put Croatia level 1-1 through a terrific header. The two teams couldn't be separated in 90 minutes, pushing the match into extra-time for the first time in this edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Even in the extra-time, the two teams couldn't be separated. The Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakoviæ stepped up in the shootout as his side secured a 3-1 (1-1) win in the penalty shootout.
Dominik Livakoviæ is married to Helena, who is these days with him in Qatar.
Monsiers et mesdames, Dejan Lovren parlant en francais! Incroyable!
Kimono Croatia worn in honour of Croatian ambassador Stambuk's birthday
Tokamachi factor, a paradigm for Japan-Croatia emotional attachement
The winning silk kimono named Croatia has been made in Tokamachi in the memory of the Croatian national football team's presence during the World Cup 2002 in Japan. The Mayor's daughter has worn it for the Croatian ambassador's birthday.
Many thanks to Yoko Nishii (Ise, Japan) for sending us these photos, and to Bla¾enka Hrastiæ for her kind permission
to show it for the readers of the CROWN.
Republic of Croatia
Kimono: Aoyagi (Niigata)
Obi: MANKATSU TEXTILE.
Sponsor: Memolead Group
The Croatian kimono is dyed with world heritage and sightseeing landscapes such as Dubrovnik Old Town, The Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, Plitvice Lakes National Park, etc. in four sections, done with carefully hand-painted Yuzen, a traditional dyeing method imported in the 8th century.
Iris flowers in various designs decorate the whole garment, along with Croatian check accents. The Ambassador Dra¾en Hrastiæ gave them much advice on the design for this kimono and together they achieved a great work.
More information about the Kimono Project initiated on the occasion of Olympic Games in Japan to be provided soon for the readers of the CROWN.
How Croatia is called in Croatian language: Hrvatska
