Photo/Illutration Kaoru Mitoma, third from right, and his teammates after the defeat to Croatia in a penalty shootout at the World Cup in Qatar on Dec. 5 (Shinnosuke Ito)

AL WAKRAH, Qatar--Kaoru Mitoma’s eyes were still red and filled with tears 50 minutes after Japan’s heartbreaking loss to Croatia in a penalty shootout at the World Cup.

“I am responsible,” he told reporters about Japan’s failure to advance to quarterfinals for the first time.

Few people, if any, would agree with him. Certainly not his teammates.

The Croatia game, as well as earlier group play, cemented Mitoma, 25, as one of Japan’s brightest rising stars and potentially Samurai Blue’s next leader on the pitch.

Mitoma was Japan’s second kicker in the penalty shootout after the teams couldn’t break their 1-1 tie.

He failed to convert. But he was not the only one.

In spectacular fashion, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three of the four Japanese shots.

The end for Japan’s run at the World Cup was confirmed when the fourth Croatian kicker scored. Mitoma collapsed on the ground, laid on his back and looked up at the night sky.

Japanese players, including Mitoma, had confidently volunteered for the penalty shootout. The players also decided the kicking order.

“I caused trouble,” Mitoma said about volunteering. “I am sorry for those who had a stronger desire than I did.”

Yuto Nagatomo, a 36-year-old veteran defender who was playing in his fourth World Cup, dashed from the bench to console his collapsed teammates.

Nagatomo said something to each of them and patted their backs.

“I am proud of them and the way they gathered the courage to take up the challenge for Japan,” he said.

In the 64th minute of the game, Nagatomo and Daizen Maeda, 25, who scored Japan’s opening goal, were replaced by Takuma Asano, 28, and Mitoma.

Mitoma again showed signs of brilliance, including a solo attacking effort and shot that nearly put Japan ahead.

At the news conference, Mitoma said: “I was ready to carry the torch from people like Nagatomo-san, and I put myself up for the penalty shootout. I thought I was resolutely prepared. But maybe it just wasn’t enough.”

Nagatomo urged the public not to blame the Japanese penalty shooters for the loss. He said Samurai Blue may have just run out of luck.

“I want people to give praise to the younger players who fought until the last minute, and to the players who kicked the penalties with courage,” Nagatomo said. “I don’t think Japan was inferior to Croatia. Not at all. We fully displayed our strength.”

He also said Japan’s soccer future looks very bright.

“I can say confidently that this team is the strongest ever. Younger players have shown a ‘new future,’” Nagatomo said.

After the defeat, all of the Japanese players and staff gathered in a huddle at the center circle of the field.

“It was not the result we wanted, but our effort will never fade in color,” skipper Hajime Moriyasu told the team.

Moriyasu said the team proved that a new era for Japan soccer has already arrived, and the world has seen that the Japanese can compete against--and defeat--top-tier soccer nations.

“I hope this frustrating feeling you have right now will lead you to the next growth,” he added.

At the news conference, Mitoma fixed his eyes straight ahead and finally talked about the future.

“I must become a player who can make the team win. A great player is the one who can perform big at the World Cup and lead the team to the final eight,” he said. “I will come back in four years and go for it again.” 

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