Japan’s sensational smash-and-grab raids at the World Cup have already seen off Germany and Spain. But in the last-16 clash at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Tuesday, they come up against a Croatia side who might just be a little too streetwise for a mugging.

Croatia have not shown the quality that got them to the final four years ago, especially in front of goal, but did what they needed to do to get through their group, only showing any signs of panic in their last game against a desperate Belgium.

Captain Luka Modric, who with Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren forms a high class but ageing core to the team, said they fear no one and will have done their homework on the Samurai Blue.

Luka Modric will once again be crucial to Croatia’s fortunes in Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Japan Reuters

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu might need to produce something new tactically for this clash, having taken a similar approach to their first three games. Inviting teams onto them for 45 minutes and then switching to a more offensive formation and trying to snatch goals on the break worked perfectly against Spain and Germany but was a bust in Japan’s loss to Costa Rica.

Croatia have never lost a last-16 game when they have advanced from the group in five visits to the World Cup. They got to the semi-finals in 1998 and lost to France in the final four years ago in Russia, a fine record for a country which only returned to international football in the early 1990s. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident his team will continue to surprise the world.

“The population of Croatia is 4 million and the results we have achieved on the world stage are miraculous,” said Dalic. “We are continually present in tournaments and World Cups, and that itself is a great success. We have become a world football force.”

Japan, by contrast, have played three last 16 matches in their six previous tournaments but lost them all. But they will invoke the spirit of the Samurai warrior on Monday as they look to banish past memories.

“I use the analogy of the Samurai, before they go to battle, they polish their weapons and try to improve their techniques. But if they are scared during the battle, they will not be able to use their weapons and their techniques fully. It’s exactly the same with football, veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo said.

But Croatia are ready. “They will apply the Samurai warrior philosophy. So will we. If we want to go further, we must apply that same attitude, do our best and never underestimate anyone,” Dalic said.