[GRP A] BRAZIL 3 - 1 CROATIA (Marcelo og, Neymar x2, Oscar)

[Bigpokey24]

mate , you've not even seen holland and you are already projecting ..smh

[GREENWHITEGREEN]

For those talking about new FIFA rules, how come it did not apply when Olic was brought down in the box?

[akamoke]

All I can say is that little margins do affect games, take heart Croatia

[mate]

mate , you've not even seen holland and you are already projecting ..smh

This is true.

I'm going by past results. Holland typically plays Brazil very well, without fear. They seem to have a good squad again.

But you are right, let's see. Brazil might not be the only team to show a duller edge.

Cheers, Mate

[txj]

For those talking about new FIFA rules, how come it did not apply when Olic was brought down in the box?

[mate]

For those talking about new FIFA rules, how come it did not apply when Olic was brought down in the box?

Good point.

But we all know why.

Let's hope all the African team don't get the same treatment.

If you're an underdog, beware of the refs against Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Argentina.

Like it or not, our teams need a bit extra to compensate when this happens...and eventually join the club.

Cheers, Mate

[green4life]

Pk certainly was soft but in the context of WC (emphasizes goal scoring), that call will be given >50% of the time. Factor in the home field/crowd and u get the drift. But surely, fifa encourages refs to issue yellows for fouls that normally won't be carded during club matches pretty much because they want the game to flow and they want to see goals in WC matches.

[Ekorian]

For those talking about new FIFA rules, how come it did not apply when Olic was brought down in the box?

Good point.

But we all know why.

Let's hope all the African team don't get the same treatment.

If you're an underdog, beware of the refs against Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Argentina.

Like it or not, our teams need a bit extra to compensate when this happens...and eventually join the club.

Cheers, Mate

Mate, I know you'll recover by tomorrow. But in every sports, there's something called 'home court advantage or ' soft calls' for the home team. This has been going on for decades and it won't change with Croatia. Next game, have a convincing victory and you won't have to go through this again..

[mate]

Pk certainly was soft but in the context of WC (emphasizes goal scoring), that call will be given >50% of the time. Factor in the home field/crowd and u get the drift. But surely, fifa encourages refs to issue yellows for fouls that normally won't be carded during club matches pretty much because they want the game to flow and they want to see goals in WC matches.

I disagree. See what I said about comparing this contact versus what routinely goes on during corner kicks.

I have this on tape. Be honest about it. I'm honest enough to say Brazil still might have forced a winning goal with out this...but that was no penalty.

Cheers, Mate

[mate]

For those talking about new FIFA rules, how come it did not apply when Olic was brought down in the box?

Good point.

But we all know why.

Let's hope all the African team don't get the same treatment.

If you're an underdog, beware of the refs against Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Argentina.

Like it or not, our teams need a bit extra to compensate when this happens...and eventually join the club.

Cheers, Mate

Mate, I know you'll recover by tomorrow. But in every sports, there's something called 'home court advantage or ' soft calls' for the home team. This has been going on for decades and it won't change with Croatia. Next game, have a convincing victory and you won't have to go through this again..

My tears are dry. My kids hugged me. I'm back to being mature, calm, & collected.



But you are right. 2 more games to prove ourselves. We still command our destiny.

Croatia played their hearts out. I'm content. We did all we could. I can't ask more as a fan.


Cheers, Mate <--- Rooting for Croatia, USA, & Nigeria Super Eagles

[anikulapo]

MATE: I just watched the game and your goalie sha :shock:I just hope they check his bank accounts because two of those goals could have been saved by a youth girls team GK

[mate]

MATE: I just watched the game and your goalie sha :shock:I just hope they check his bank accounts because two of those goals could have been saved by a youth girls team GK

Nah. He's just bad. Cameroon will be salivating!



I still think we're going to pull this out. We'll see. It's going to be fun.

Cheers, Mate

[bonecrusher]

Next game, have a convincing victory and you won't have to go through this again..

Against the indomitable lions..oh hell nah

[oscar52]

Ref was not a factor in this game. It was three things, a Croatia team that was too cautious with a Brazil team that was there for the taking if they attacked more, secondly is the horrid goalkeeping, and lastly inexperience - you just don't grab a south American team in your 18 cause they will always dramatize it, its part of their game. Croatia let this one slip I must say.

[platinum]

Ref was not a factor in this game. It was three things, a Croatia team that was too cautious with a Brazil team that was there for the taking if they attacked more, secondly is the horrid goalkeeping, and lastly inexperience - you just don't grab a south American team in your 18 cause they will always dramatize it, its part of their game. Croatia let this one slip I must say.

No, Croatia played it perfectly. When I saw the line-up and after listening to Kovac's words pre-game, I assumed they were going all out attack but they wisely played deep and played the counter game. They had bad breaks, it's football and these things happen.

If they would have played further up and openly as you call for, Brazil would have blown them to smithereens. Brazil struggled to unlock Serbia and really it was the same case today. For Croatia, if they show this kind of heart, they'll be fine. For Brazil, you just have to think they won't play this poorly again but maybe they should start Hernanes or Fernandinho in place of Gustavo or Paulinho, they need to break down teams who defend deep, they struggle against that (*mind you most sides face that struggle, even the mighty Spain)

[oscar52]

Ref was not a factor in this game. It was three things, a Croatia team that was too cautious with a Brazil team that was there for the taking if they attacked more, secondly is the horrid goalkeeping, and lastly inexperience - you just don't grab a south American team in your 18 cause they will always dramatize it, its part of their game. Croatia let this one slip I must say.

No, Croatia played it perfectly. When I saw the line-up and after listening to Kovac's words pre-game, I assumed they were going all out attack but they wisely played deep and played the counter game. They had bad breaks, it's football and these things happen.

If they would have played further up and openly as you call for, Brazil would have blown them to smithereens. Brazil struggled to unlock Serbia and really it was the same case today. For Croatia, if they show this kind of heart, they'll be fine. For Brazil, you just have to think they won't play this poorly again but maybe they should start Hernanes or Fernandinho in place of Gustavo or Paulinho, they need to break down teams who defend deep, they struggle against that (*mind you most sides face that struggle, even the mighty Spain)

I disagree. Watch how Mexico will play them and see the difference.

[platinum]

Ref was not a factor in this game. It was three things, a Croatia team that was too cautious with a Brazil team that was there for the taking if they attacked more, secondly is the horrid goalkeeping, and lastly inexperience - you just don't grab a south American team in your 18 cause they will always dramatize it, its part of their game. Croatia let this one slip I must say.

No, Croatia played it perfectly. When I saw the line-up and after listening to Kovac's words pre-game, I assumed they were going all out attack but they wisely played deep and played the counter game. They had bad breaks, it's football and these things happen.

If they would have played further up and openly as you call for, Brazil would have blown them to smithereens. Brazil struggled to unlock Serbia and really it was the same case today. For Croatia, if they show this kind of heart, they'll be fine. For Brazil, you just have to think they won't play this poorly again but maybe they should start Hernanes or Fernandinho in place of Gustavo or Paulinho, they need to break down teams who defend deep, they struggle against that (*mind you most sides face that struggle, even the mighty Spain)

I disagree. Watch how Mexico will play them and see the difference.

Croatia is not Mexico, they have different strengths and weaknesses.

[airwolex]

Croatia played a great game; just got unlucky on all the close calls and they have a keeper with the reflexes of a corpse.

Brazil has issues as well...too many stiffs in the squad. Paulinho, Hulk, Fred and to a lesser extent Gustavo were/are terrible; Alves and Marcello are good going forward but are terrible defenders...Oscar had a great game but against better defenders he will be ineffective on the right. Neymar has to play multiple great games or them to win it and that's nigh impossible in my books.

All in all a good game to start the WC, the ref made some mistakes but that's part of the game.

[Man Ataye]

Good game. Hope the Croats pull thru. I really like them. Oh well , better luck next time. This group is too hard to select. Too many good teams on it. May the best two go onward.

[anointed]

By the way, this game takes a little intimidation out of Brazil. Tier 1 teams like Spain, Germany, Italy, and perhaps Argentina won't be so afraid.

If Brazil winds up playing Holland for the 2nd round...something tells me the Dutch have their number and might shock them out of the WC.

The lack of top offensive class, by Brazilian standards, is going to tell. Defensively they can be broken. It's going to take a united, fighting, and disciplined effort by Brazil to win this WC.

They're still my #1. But they're not as daunting as I had imagined. I might be wrong, but I don't think this is one of those slow start issues where a team suddenly bursts into glory.

Cheers, Mate

Teams like Brazil grow with tournaments. Who would have thought Nigeria could win the afcon with rag-tag performances in the first 3 games? You might also consider that Sculari is known not for his beautiful football.

That said, your goalkeeeper, Pletikosa, sounds like he's gonna allow plenty goals this WC. So I hereby move a motion that his name be changed to Plentigolaso

The ayes have it

[Heliopolis]

Croatia played great but suffered from 3 things:
-Poor speed on the wings (Olic was a nuisance for Brazil but way too slow to punish them)
-Horrible ref
-Horrible GK

That was the most ludicruous PK call I have seen in a while. I did not even need to see the replay to see that Fred had simply lost his balance.

As for Brazil, they were poor for most of the match and need to address some shortcomings. Neymar was the only spark amongst their three attackers. Fred was a spectator and added nothing. Far too often Dani Alves was caught too far up the pitch giving Olic a lot of space. It'll be interesting to see Brazil go up against a strong defensive team because right now, I do not feel too confident about their attacking prowess.

[oloye]

That goalie from Croatia is a crook, Check his bank account.

[oloye]

Croatia played a great game; just got unlucky on all the close calls and they have a keeper with the reflexes of a corpse.

Brazil has issues as well...too many stiffs in the squad. Paulinho, Hulk, Fred and to a lesser extent Gustavo were/are terrible; Alves and Marcello are good going forward but are terrible defenders...Oscar had a great game but against better defenders he will be ineffective on the right. Neymar has to play multiple great games or them to win it and that's nigh impossible in my books.

All in all a good game to start the WC, the ref made some mistakes but that's part of the game.

Cannot think of a better phrase to describe the zombie like movement of that keeper.