Granted the Croatian stars were 4 years younger, but in 2018 England had rested their starters in the 3rd group game vs Belgium. Both teams went to pks in the r16, but Croatia also went to pks vs Russia in the quarters in Sochi. Then Croatia went to OT with England and came out on top. Brazil is a whole different animal, but don't count out Croatia. Korean BBQ could also beat churrasco
I remember saying this every game 4 years ago and it took a dubious penalty to finally stop them. Never underestimate Croatia
As an American: Watching that game with the ESPN broadcast crew crowning the US women over 90 minutes, only to have Japan fight back, was admittedly satisfying
Croatia wants to win this tournament. At least, this is visible between the lines in their sentences. Focused on each match, togetherness, unity, family, motivation, without underestimating tones for other teams. Things are different now. Just like the movie says: Mamma mia, here we go again. Switzerland, Cameroon showed that its possible to play against Brazil. Belgium showed this in 2018. Germany showed this in 2014. Croatia was damaged in the opening match against Brazil in 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuichi_Nishimura https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...himura-doesnt-dwell-on-world-cup-controversy/ https://www.thenationalnews.com/spo...ed-reputation-fans-conspiracy-flames-1.591124 It was also tight in 2006. https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/2006germany/match-center/97410011 Korea was just too bad today, but they also created 3,4 good chances. Fear, high respect costed Korea.... Brazil played differently against all 4 opponents. Switzerland was very close. Not sure was Brazil competitive against Cameroon, maybe only African solidarity towards Cameroon and to the roots of these Brazilian fans. Was Cameroon too good or Brazil took things slower. https://www.goal.com/en/news/ridicu...roversial-var-call/1bfd4el2zvpzw1nabllmjcxm3b https://www.thedailystar.net/fifa-w...uin-the-spectacle-the-world-cup-final-1606198
Brazil vs Croatia 2014 was robbery at it's finest. In the second half, Neymar elbowed a Croatian player and should've gotten a red card. Brazil's penalty was non-existent. Croatia had a wrongly disallowed goal in the 82nd min. Brazil's third goal prior to scoring, a Croatian player was clearly fouled and it was not called. That was complete robbery there, and not to mention, Croatia were not nearly as strong back then. Neither were Brazil to be fair, but the match should've ended in a 2-1 win for Croatia.
Honestly, Morocco are now the defacto home team, so they will have the entire region rooting for them. Spain has only brought a small contingent of fans from what it looks like, so Morocco will essentially be home for this one. On my way back from the Brazil v S.Korea game, we passed by the Moroccan teams hotel and there were literally thousands of fans hanging around there. I should have told them that's not how it works. You aren't meant to go and make noise in front of your own team's hotel, but your opponents. But anyway... Spain and Argentina are currently staying at the Qatar University student + staff housing, so there's no way they are getting anywhere near there anyway...
Yes we want to win it. Will be tough though. The thing with us is that several teams we should handle can bother us but on the other hand we know that we can also bother most of top teams. It's the first time we reach the 1/4 final of a major tournament playing so poorly but now we are where we want face to face with the biggest teams in the world . We will see if our guys can have the 10 days of their life in NT football.
They seem way weaker than four years back. Mentally also. Yet to see them be convicing apart from maybe the Canada win.
In all honesty I disagree. They didn't look super dominant against either Denmark and Russia 4 years ago. They were more convincing in the group stage, but their group last time was a little easier. That Argentina was not a good team, Nigeria was meh, Iceland could surprise but generally not that good. I would say they look very comparable to 2018. Their defense is better this time, but their attack had better quality in 2018. Very comparable I'd say. The defense definitely looked shakier in 2018. Don't underestimate Japan either. They beat Spain and Germany.
Japan was slightly better overall in my opinion but Croatia is the kind of team that can go far on tight victories or penalties. I don't think Japanese PKs were poor, I think Livakovic desearves some credit. Even before the penalties he did well. Tomiyasu also did a horrible mistake in the 1st half but lucky for him Kramaric failed to take advantage of it. On Japan's side Yoshida did it again, for an experienced captain I can't believe he makes such mistakes. He was already responsible on the goal conceded against Costa Rica. Also I didn't understand why Junya Ito stayed in the pitch, he was obviously spent or even maybe injured after 1 hour of play. Overall good tournament from Japan and good luck to Croatia for the next games.
No goalie in the world should have a chance on a properly placed penalty. Goalies have nothing to lose. Pick a corner and dive. The first two Japanese penalties were the most horrific ever seen. Not even into the corner, or with pace. Both of the players were visible nervous and shaken and took crap penalties. Congratulations to the Croatian keeper for guessing right. That's all he had to do.
You were outted in the Juve forums long ago. I find it weird pretending to be something else, don't you?