Cybereagles

I would actually make Croatia group favourites.

wiseone wrote:I would actually make Croatia group favourites.

I wouldn't.

You've hit upon who I think is the best Croatian player: Ivan Perisic. He's a beats. Attacking and defending. I believe him doing his job is the key to Rakitic and Modric being able to do theirs. Perhaps, if he comes to form, Kovacic. Keep in mind that Croatia dominated possession across the qualifying, including both games against Iceland.

Goals were a problem during qualifying. As well as giving up silly goals. I think the former is being fixed with the latter a question mark.

Morale was bad during most of qualifying. Cacic was about the worst coach since 1998. He got fired right before the Ukraine game, the last in regular qualifying. We've well beaten the Ukraine and Greece since to get to the WC. I think Dalic is turning the team around in terms of unity and self belief...which has been a problem for psychologically suspect Croatia.

For me, so far, it comes down to Nigerian counterattack vs Croatian possession. Which will be more compelling? Of course, I'll be looking at the Nigerian team a lot more. Maybe Nigeria can possess against Croatia? We'll see.

Just to reinforce the idea of Croatians being ill disciplined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domagoj_Vida

On 24 September 2012, Vida was thrown out of the first team and the team bus after he opened up a beer while the team were on their way to a cup match. He also had several altercations with Dinamo head coach Ante Čačić prior to this incident.[7] The next day, it was announced that he would be fined a record €100,000.


There are many more such incidents. Again, Croatia is capable of unraveling due to in-fighting and poor discipline. Coach Dalic is addressing this...but I can't say we have a competent FA, so it's a toss up.

Rohr seems to think that the Argentina game will be crucial apparently because we might drop points to Croatia and/or Iceland. Hopefully na mind games. The matches have already begun.
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mate wrote:Just to reinforce the idea of Croatians being ill disciplined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domagoj_Vida

On 24 September 2012, Vida was thrown out of the first team and the team bus after he opened up a beer while the team were on their way to a cup match. He also had several altercations with Dinamo head coach Ante Čačić prior to this incident.[7] The next day, it was announced that he would be fined a record €100,000.


There are many more such incidents. Again, Croatia is capable of unraveling due to in-fighting and poor discipline. Coach Dalic is addressing this...but I can't say we have a competent FA, so it's a toss up.

Mate
I knew we were going to see you here when the draw was made, How are you and the family? How are you enjoying Trumps america........

I will be happy with a draw with Croatia and I have a feeling we will beat Argentina and Iceland.

Welcome mate.. nice to see you again!

Prince wrote:

mate wrote:Just to reinforce the idea of Croatians being ill disciplined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domagoj_Vida

On 24 September 2012, Vida was thrown out of the first team and the team bus after he opened up a beer while the team were on their way to a cup match. He also had several altercations with Dinamo head coach Ante Čačić prior to this incident.[7] The next day, it was announced that he would be fined a record €100,000.


There are many more such incidents. Again, Croatia is capable of unraveling due to in-fighting and poor discipline. Coach Dalic is addressing this...but I can't say we have a competent FA, so it's a toss up.

Mate
I knew we were going to see you here when the draw was made, How are you and the family? How are you enjoying Trumps america........

All is extremely well for me and family personally. I detest Trump and hope he's impeached sooner rather than later. I'm concerned for my USA, losing out on the WC being the final straw!



But we still have a big world. Especially football. We all wished for it over the years...Nigeria and Croatia, two aspiring big mouthed peoples!



I'm going to be in Russia for a July 3rd 2nd round game. I'm coming earlier and trying to get a ticket for a late 1st round game. Maybe some of us cross paths in Russia? Yujam and I stated discussing it on Facebook.