DOHA: World Cup super-sub Ritsu Doan believes the strength of Japan's bench could prove decisive as they prepare to face 2018 finalists Croatia in the last 16 on Monday.
The Freiburg forward has played a crucial role as a substitute in Qatar, scoring the equaliser in Japan's shock wins over both Germany and Spain, which helped them top Group E.
Doan took four minutes to find the net after coming on against Germany and just two after entering as a half-time substitute against Spain.
He believes Japan's options on the bench can help them go even further as they seek to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
"It's 11 against 11 but as players we talk about us playing with 26 against 11," he said on Saturday. "The rules changed to allow five substitutes and I think we should be thankful for that. We have players who can change games."
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has won praise for his substitutions and tactical changes in Qatar.
Three of Japan's four goals at the World Cup have been scored by players who started on the bench, and substitute Kaoru Mitoma played the pass that set up the fourth.
Moriyasu has likened his men to baseball players, saying they all have roles to play including as "starters, relievers and closers".
Doan said he had learned how to make an impact coming off the bench from his club career in Germany and the Netherlands.
"I have scored a lot of goals after coming on as a sub," said the 24-year-old. "At PSV Eindhoven I started playing more as a sub and I know how to prepare to come on.
"Of course as a player I'm not happy about starting on the bench but as the manager says, we need to play with all 26 players at this tournament."
Doan was picked to start Japan's match against Costa Rica, which finished in a surprise 1-0 defeat.
He struggled to break down the Costa Ricans' stubborn defence and was replaced with around 25 minutes left to play.
Tireless Modric
Croatia's squad features only a few of the players which led them to the World Cup final in 2018, runners-up to France, but Luka Modric is defying time to be one of those few constants.
The 37-year-old Real Madrid midfielder worked tirelessly across the full 90 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Belgium on Thursday to book Croatia's place in the last 16.
The captain leads by example, showing the younger players what is possible and how much effort achieving it takes.
If the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, with five Champions League titles to his name, still toils selflessly in midfield, there can be no excuses for anyone else not to follow suit.
Croatia defender Josip Juranovic believes Modric is setting an example to the squad's younger players to fend off World Cup fatigue.
"In my tank, my reservoir [of gas] is full," the Celtic defender told a press conference on Saturday. "It is a World Cup -- we may only get [to be part of] this once in our lifetime.
"I can't wait for the game to start. When you see people like Luka Modric running and dying on the pitch, it gives us younger players extra energy to run.
"We have a great combination of experience and younger players in the team."
