[WC 2022 QF #1] CROATIA 1(4) (Petkovic) BRAZIL 1(2) PKs Croatia through to the semi-finals!!! (Neymar)

[green4life]

Each time Neymar got the ball he literally would stop to a trot and then start deciding after what to do with the ball ..surprised croatia no quack am more . he was short 1 and yet when he scored i no lie i was humbled.

This is why I will always pick a Modric over a Neymar. Always! Luca Modric consistently makes good decision with the ball, without the ball, early game, midgame, endgame. Name it.

I think u miss the point slightly. His play in those moments was needed to break down a well marshalled defence.
I think the criticism was that he was seldom successful with it, except for the goal and a few other instances...

My guess is he's alluding to one particular moment where it appeared that Neymar could've stretched the game on a counter attack burst but held up near the midway line.

That said, the bigger fault goes to Casimiero who, due to being on a yellow, did not tackle Modric when he had the chance to destroy the counter deep in Croatia's half. He had to sacrifice himself at that key moment in a game with Modric on the ball in a counter attacking situation with 3 mins left with semifinal of WC on the line.

[mate]

We need to go study what the Croatians are doing especially at the World Cup. It is like they always get to the Semi-finals!

They play within themselves and play to their strengths while doing everything necessary to mitigate their weaknesses.

Yes they win and get to the later stages but the football Croatia plays is really not what we want to watch on the regular do we?

I know I will take it for the Super Eagles myself but it is just too pragmatic.

I am sorry, what football doe the Super Eagles play?

That was a head scratcher. Croatia plays wining football: they have skill to play attractively when possible and they don't mind reducing the pace to suit them when necessary to give themselves the best chance to win. What is not to like about Croatia football? Meanwhile they're only a country of 4 million.

So you want to tell me that you will willingly love the SE to play in 4 or 5 consecutive PKs. It is well and good when we have no stake in it but when it is the SE and many people have "died" from the induced heart-attacks, then call me back then.

The point is not the fact that they win, the point is the method they used to get there - that many PK shoot-outs is not good for the health and it is also very hard to reproduce, one miss and the plan fails.

My friend, I totally disagree with you on the attractiveness claim. We cannot play more attacking because our forwards are bad. I mean they REALLY are bad: Petkovic, Livaja, and Budimir should never make a NT. Kramaric is ok, Orsic has speed but for some reason ignored by Dalic till throwing him in at the end...for Orisc to play a key role in our goal.

We have a great defense and midfield that can possess, dribble, and pass. Fast and technical, sophisticated. Don't be so harsh on us because our forwards cannot complete our game.

Just saying.

[Scipio Africanus]

We need to go study what the Croatians are doing especially at the World Cup. It is like they always get to the Semi-finals!

They play within themselves and play to their strengths while doing everything necessary to mitigate their weaknesses.

Yes they win and get to the later stages but the football Croatia plays is really not what we want to watch on the regular do we?

I know I will take it for the Super Eagles myself but it is just too pragmatic.

I am sorry, what football doe the Super Eagles play?

That was a head scratcher. Croatia plays wining football: they have skill to play attractively when possible and they don't mind reducing the pace to suit them when necessary to give themselves the best chance to win. What is not to like about Croatia football? Meanwhile they're only a country of 4 million.

So you want to tell me that you will willingly love the SE to play in 4 or 5 consecutive PKs. It is well and good when we have no stake in it but when it is the SE and many people have "died" from the induced heart-attacks, then call me back then.

The point is not the fact that they win, the point is the method they used to get there - that many PK shoot-outs is not good for the health and it is also very hard to reproduce, one miss and the plan fails.

My friend, I totally disagree with you on the attractiveness claim. We cannot play more attacking because our forwards are bad. I mean they REALLY are bad: Petkovic, Livaja, and Budimir should never make a NT. Kramaric is ok, Orsic has speed but for some reason ignored by Dalic till throwing him in at the end...for Orisc to play a key role in our goal.

We have a great defense and midfield that can possess, dribble, and pass. Fast and technical, sophisticated. Don't be so harsh on us because our forwards cannot complete our game.

Just saying.

Congratulations Mate! You must be over the moon! Oh to know what it feels like to be in a semi-final!

[green4life]

We need to go study what the Croatians are doing especially at the World Cup. It is like they always get to the Semi-finals!

They play within themselves and play to their strengths while doing everything necessary to mitigate their weaknesses.

Yes they win and get to the later stages but the football Croatia plays is really not what we want to watch on the regular do we?

I know I will take it for the Super Eagles myself but it is just too pragmatic.

I am sorry, what football doe the Super Eagles play?

That was a head scratcher. Croatia plays wining football: they have skill to play attractively when possible and they don't mind reducing the pace to suit them when necessary to give themselves the best chance to win. What is not to like about Croatia football? Meanwhile they're only a country of 4 million.

So you want to tell me that you will willingly love the SE to play in 4 or 5 consecutive PKs. It is well and good when we have no stake in it but when it is the SE and many people have "died" from the induced heart-attacks, then call me back then.

The point is not the fact that they win, the point is the method they used to get there - that many PK shoot-outs is not good for the health and it is also very hard to reproduce, one miss and the plan fails.

My friend, I totally disagree with you on the attractiveness claim. We cannot play more attacking because our forwards are bad. I mean they REALLY are bad: Petkovic, Livaja, and Budimir should never make a NT. Kramaric is ok, Orsic has speed but for some reason ignored by Dalic till throwing him in at the end...for Orisc to play a key role in our goal.

We have a great defense and midfield that can possess, dribble, and pass. Fast and technical, sophisticated. Don't be so harsh on us because our forwards cannot complete our game.

Just saying.

That's for correcting him unless he meant Croatia don't play attractively because they don't dance and as well as the Brazilians

Jokes aside, congratulations on yet another Semifinal WC qualification and good luck the rest of the way. Well deserved Mate

[mate]

They play within themselves and play to their strengths while doing everything necessary to mitigate their weaknesses.

Yes they win and get to the later stages but the football Croatia plays is really not what we want to watch on the regular do we?

I know I will take it for the Super Eagles myself but it is just too pragmatic.

I am sorry, what football doe the Super Eagles play?

That was a head scratcher. Croatia plays wining football: they have skill to play attractively when possible and they don't mind reducing the pace to suit them when necessary to give themselves the best chance to win. What is not to like about Croatia football? Meanwhile they're only a country of 4 million.

So you want to tell me that you will willingly love the SE to play in 4 or 5 consecutive PKs. It is well and good when we have no stake in it but when it is the SE and many people have "died" from the induced heart-attacks, then call me back then.

The point is not the fact that they win, the point is the method they used to get there - that many PK shoot-outs is not good for the health and it is also very hard to reproduce, one miss and the plan fails.

My friend, I totally disagree with you on the attractiveness claim. We cannot play more attacking because our forwards are bad. I mean they REALLY are bad: Petkovic, Livaja, and Budimir should never make a NT. Kramaric is ok, Orsic has speed but for some reason ignored by Dalic till throwing him in at the end...for Orisc to play a key role in our goal.

We have a great defense and midfield that can possess, dribble, and pass. Fast and technical, sophisticated. Don't be so harsh on us because our forwards cannot complete our game.

Just saying.

Congratulations Mate! You must be over the moon! Oh to know what it feels like to be in a semi-final!

Thanks man. I am glad I'm enjoying it with you all.

I won't lie. I LOVE IT!!! Yes, I live vicariouslt through my team. I remember the ugly years after the 1998 WC sensation.

2018. 2022. I'm in Heaven.

And yes, no patronize or BS slap on the back...I WISH THE SAME FOR NIGERIA AND ALL OF US HERE.

[mate]

They play within themselves and play to their strengths while doing everything necessary to mitigate their weaknesses.

Yes they win and get to the later stages but the football Croatia plays is really not what we want to watch on the regular do we?

I know I will take it for the Super Eagles myself but it is just too pragmatic.

I am sorry, what football doe the Super Eagles play?

That was a head scratcher. Croatia plays wining football: they have skill to play attractively when possible and they don't mind reducing the pace to suit them when necessary to give themselves the best chance to win. What is not to like about Croatia football? Meanwhile they're only a country of 4 million.

So you want to tell me that you will willingly love the SE to play in 4 or 5 consecutive PKs. It is well and good when we have no stake in it but when it is the SE and many people have "died" from the induced heart-attacks, then call me back then.

The point is not the fact that they win, the point is the method they used to get there - that many PK shoot-outs is not good for the health and it is also very hard to reproduce, one miss and the plan fails.

My friend, I totally disagree with you on the attractiveness claim. We cannot play more attacking because our forwards are bad. I mean they REALLY are bad: Petkovic, Livaja, and Budimir should never make a NT. Kramaric is ok, Orsic has speed but for some reason ignored by Dalic till throwing him in at the end...for Orisc to play a key role in our goal.

We have a great defense and midfield that can possess, dribble, and pass. Fast and technical, sophisticated. Don't be so harsh on us because our forwards cannot complete our game.

Just saying.

That's for correcting him unless he meant Croatia don't play attractively because they don't dance and as well as the Brazilians

Jokes aside, congratulations on yet another Semifinal WC qualification and good luck the rest of the way. Well deserved Mate

Thank you! Thank you! I bow to all of you in thanks!



The rest of the WC is gravy. I really wanted the final 4! And, why not dream? Why the hell not at this point?

[theDunamis]

I think u miss the point slightly. His play in those moments was needed to break down a well marshalled defence.
I think the criticism was that he was seldom successful with it, except for the goal and a few other instances...

There were at least 3 key moments where a quick pass was the better and more intelligent decision. Of course, there are moments where it made sense to slow down to a trot, be deliberate about breaking down the defense and finding the perfect hole. But that is not and should not be what you do every single predictable time. Not when you are immensely talented enough to be versatile in your plays.

[Tobi17]

It appears this world cup is showing us a pattern that simplifies the best recipe for success...just have a solid defense, a world class GK and play compact with less possession against the "bigger" teams. At least Morocco and Croatia have perfected this blueprint so far.

And oh, one more important one, BE VERY EFFICIENT AT PKs

[theDunamis]

It appears this world cup is showing us a pattern that simplifies the best recipe for success...just have a solid defense, a world class GK then play counter attacking compact football with less possession against the "bigger" teams. At least Morocco and Croatia have perfected this blueprint so far.

This is just another way to restate the old sports cliche that "attack wins games, defense wins championships".

[GREENWHITEGREEN]

HRVATSKA!!!



...
Thank you for your support my CE brothers! I am rooting for a CROATIA vs MOROCCO final...coming from THE REAL GROUP OF DEATH!!!

HRVATSKA!!!

[mate]

It appears this world cup is showing us a pattern that simplifies the best recipe for success...just have a solid defense, a world class GK then play counter attacking compact football with less possession against the "bigger" teams. At least Morocco and Croatia have perfected this blueprint so far.

Some similarities.

But Croatia is more possession and then attack in number but more slowly.

Morocco parks the bus and attacks with pace.

We can hold the ball against anybody, Morocco cannot.

Croatia out possessed Brazil today.

[Siddonlook11]

Each time Neymar got the ball he literally would stop to a trot and then start deciding after what to do with the ball ..surprised croatia no quack am more . he was short 1 and yet when he scored i no lie i was humbled.

This is why I will always pick a Modric over a Neymar. Always! Luca Modric consistently makes good decision with the ball, without the ball, early game, midgame, endgame. Name it.

I think u miss the point slightly. His play in those moments was needed to break down a well marshalled defence.
I think the criticism was that he was seldom successful with it, except for the goal and a few other instances...

naaa.. each time he delayed he played into Croatian plan - they regrouped and waited for the moves countering the spaces..which is why they stopped him each time before the goal - they made him come infield where they were stronger.

Notice Brazilain created more with the pace of Antony and Rodrigo the one issue i had was not removing Neymar after the goal and moving Rodrigo to that hole ..Tite brings in Pedro and Fred.

[theDunamis]

[mate]

[Scipio Africanus]

[danfo driver]

Maybe I am missing something. I am sorry, what football did the Super Eagles play in the last 6 years, atleast. I am willing to even go back to the last 10 years.

I think you are probably thinking about the SE from the 1980s, 1990s or something like that. You are being nostalgic. The boring football SE played under my favorite Oliseh, or the disgustingly boring and loser football under **** or the primary school kick and rush + what am I doing football in Lisbon? Those?

We need to go study what the Croatians are doing especially at the World Cup. It is like they always get to the Semi-finals!

They play within themselves and play to their strengths while doing everything necessary to mitigate their weaknesses.

Yes they win and get to the later stages but the football Croatia plays is really not what we want to watch on the regular do we?

I know I will take it for the Super Eagles myself but it is just too pragmatic.

I am sorry, what football doe the Super Eagles play?

That was a head scratcher. Croatia plays wining football: they have skill to play attractively when possible and they don't mind reducing the pace to suit them when necessary to give themselves the best chance to win. What is not to like about Croatia football? Meanwhile they're only a country of 4 million.

So you want to tell me that you will willingly love the SE to play in 4 or 5 consecutive PKs. It is well and good when we have no stake in it but when it is the SE and many people have "died" from the induced heart-attacks, then call me back then.

The point is not the fact that they win, the point is the method they used to get there - that many PK shoot-outs is not good for the health and it is also very hard to reproduce, one miss and the plan fails.

[danfo driver]

That's for correcting him unless he meant Croatia don't play attractively because they don't dance and as well as the Brazilians

Jokes aside, congratulations on yet another Semifinal WC qualification and good luck the rest of the way. Well deserved Mate

They arent doing atilogwu and twerking

[txj]

That's for correcting him unless he meant Croatia don't play attractively because they don't dance and as well as the Brazilians

Jokes aside, congratulations on yet another Semifinal WC qualification and good luck the rest of the way. Well deserved Mate

They arent doing atilogwu and twerking

Regardless, and all credit to the Croats, its always a sad day for me when Brazil exits the WC

[mcal]

...congrats to Croatia for dumping arrogant dancing Brazil.

[mate]

...congrats to Croatia for dumping arrogant dancing Brazil.

I love Brazil and alway will for their football.

But man, you don't dance like that during a game unless you really are that much better.

I still think it is a distraction and motivates the opponent.

I think after the game is ok.

[Scipio Africanus]

It appears this world cup is showing us a pattern that simplifies the best recipe for success...just have a solid defense, a world class GK and play compact with less possession against the "bigger" teams. At least Morocco and Croatia have perfected this blueprint so far.

And oh, one more important one, BE VERY EFFICIENT AT PKs

Add a clinical striker and what you have up there is basically the Italian way of playing. Italy ran into trouble when they stopped producing enough quality midfielders and strikers.

[GG of G]

Croatia simply balled. Congrats mate. Modric is arguably one of the best midfield generals to grace the game.

[airwolex]

Oh well. The drama of football. Good guys often finish last. Croatia scored with their first attempt at goal and their keeper made 9 saves.

Brazil played right into their hands...smh