Japan and South Korea savor biggest World Cup night in 20 years

Bars and restaurants prepare to serve fans in early hours

Not since 2002, when Japan and South Korea jointly hosted the World Cup, have both countries played on the same night seeking a place among the last eight teams of the tournament. © Reuters

KIM JAEWON and SAYUMI TAKE, Nikkei staff writers

December 5, 2022 18:55 JST

SEOUL/TOKYO -- Football fans in South Korea and Japan eagerly anticipated one of the biggest nights in Asian soccer for two decades on Monday as both national teams prepared for World Cup matches that could usher them into the tournament's quarterfinals -- or send them home from Qatar.

Japan plays Croatia, beaten finalists four years ago, in a match starting at midnight in Japan. A few hours later South Korea, led by English premier league star Son Heung-min, faces off against tournament favorite Brazil.