'My performance was a disaster' – Tomiyasu slams own display in Japan's defeat to Croatia
Japan exited the World Cup to Croatia on Monday, and defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was not happy with his own contribution.
Takehiro Tomiyasu described his own performance as a "disaster" as Japan were knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia on Monday.
Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida all missed their spot-kicks in a shoot-out following a 1-1 draw at Al Janoub Stadium, with Croatia advancing to a quarter-final against Brazil.
It meant Japan have been eliminated from all four of their round-of-16 appearances at the World Cup, while they have lost both of their penalty shoot-outs in the competition (also versus Paraguay in 2010).
Tomiyasu registered the worst pass completion rate of any outfield player to play the full 120 minutes (67.7 percent), while he lost possession a game-high 27 times.
The Arsenal defender, who also failed to make a single tackle or interception, was disappointed with his display and said Japan need to be "much, much better" in the future.
"Of course, we are so disappointed with the result," he said.
"My performance was a disaster so I am sorry for the team. I just need to be much, much better to help the team.
"It was not enough and also for the team, we did not deserve to win. We were so close to achieving our aim. They were better than us.
"I can't be proud. I am not satisfied about what happened. This is football and we need to be much, much better to win against a stronger team."
Tomiyasu will return to club duty with Arsenal now and will hope to feature in the Premier League leaders' first match after the World Cup against West Ham on December 26.