After Croatia’s 1-1 draw with Finland Friday night in Rijeka, manager Ante Čačić has been fired by the HNS.
So who will replace him? Zlatko Dalić.
Who is Zlatko Dalić? Another nobody coach with thin credentials.
He played for Hajduk and Varteks in the 90s and briefly coached Varteks and Rijeka before his most recent stint with United Arab Emirates club Al-Ain for the past three years.
So who pushed Čačić out? It was the players, led by captain Luka Modrić.
Here’s what Modrić said after the Finland match of then manager Ante Čačić, in a FourFourTwo article:
Asked if the players were behind Čačić, Real Madrid midfielder Modrić was notably avoidant.
“What do we do now? We started with him and now we have to just keep going,” Modrić said.
“Until our match with Iceland, everything was fine and now all of a sudden nothing is of any worth.
“That’s the honest truth, the situation is catastrophic, but we still have a chance to make it right.”
On the match itself – Modrić’s 100th appearance for Croatia – the 32-year-old was brutal in his assessment.
“What happened? Nothing, we have only just compromised our path to the World Cup,” he said.
“When we were looking for the goal, we had a few chances and initiative. When we scored, it was unbelievable that we would retreat against Finland, of all teams.
“That Croatia was waiting for the final whistle against that kind of national team is…It is unbelievable that we are struggling against teams like Kosovo and Finland, where before we would have beaten them with ease.”
Idemo,
I think I’m pretty straight and constant with my comments and there’s a few things I’ve said on this site over and over again. The Italians have character, leaders and know how to get results when they need it…we are inconsistent and blame everyone and everything for our losses and downfalls. I don’t think you can argue that point.
Zds lifestyle- that is what I hace seen from Rog vs Finland and his last few games at Napoli. I hope he is just rusty, but he has never impressed me.
@anonymous
Just had a new found respect for the Masters division.
Thought my athleticism would give me a bigger advantage being a younger man in an older division but that wasn’t the case. It’s just as challenging as playing in an open division.
Now granted, I’ve never played higher than 1st division recreational soccer so make of this what you will.
@slavonac first time for everything 😉
Rog is garbage.
Dribble…..lose ball……foul…….yellow card
Idemo,
Would you bet we beat Italy to qualify if it comes down to it?
They’ve never missed a tournament…EVER!
@ anonymous. What the heck does that mean?
@mile
and quite frankly Italy has never really been a threat to us. I remember in Italy until those “fans” lit the place up we were manhandling them.
A Canadian and Australian Croats walk into a bar…..
Thanks zee…and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Guys, quite honestly, I don’t wanna play matchup. I’d rather just win and get who we get. The second place teams shouldn’t scare us…what’s scarier is that we have a good team playing at a shitty level. What we should be hoping for is that by the grace of God we play very well and win tomorrow…after that we re group and get back to playing as a team, the way we know we can!
idemo, yes Northern Ireland shouldn’t have a hope of passing Croatia, considering they lost both games this weekend. And Slovakia lost to Scotland. Not sure how much weight Sweden’s 8-0 win over Luxembourg would have in ranking points. They also play the Netherlands Tuesday. If Croatia do pull out the win tomorrow, I almost wish they were #5 so they can play one of the top teams. As we all know, Croatia play better against better competition. I would actually love if they somehow drew Portugal. Who wouldn’t want a possibility for revenge for last year. I don’t see how Croatia’s ranking drops that much though, especially if they win tomorrow. And I don’t see Portugal not winning against Switzerland.
@idemo. No worries. Hamilton area ontario canada
ajmooooo kosovoooooooooooo
Northern Ireland lost to Norway so it would be tough for them to bump us in Fifa rankings right?
For seeding for the playoffs, the Swiss/Portugal game doesn’t matter, as they are currently the number one and two seeds of the potential second place teams. So let’s assume Croatia wins tomorrow (because we really don’t care about the seeding if they don’t right?). Here would be the potential seedings (they could change after the rankings are updated following the last two games for each team:
1. Switzerland/Portugal
2. Wales
3. Italy
4. Croatia
5. Northern Ireland
6. Sweden
7. Denmark
8. Greece
This assumes Wales beats Ireland. If Wales ties, Slovakia would take their spot, but would be a bottom four seed and Croatia moves up a spot. If Ireland wins, Ireland would similarly be a bottom four seed. So with a win, it looks as though Croatia would be a #3 or 4 seed and would be matched up with any of Northern Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Ireland or Slovakia.
zee….. where do you live ( in a non creepy way)
@ slavonac. Forgot about you which i shouldn’t have. Anyway have a good one and we talk tomorrow about a hrvatska pobjeda!
isn’t running with purpose playing smart?
isn’t the major knock on why the usa soccer in general is ass is because they’re usually a bunch of fit running concerned people and don’t play smart?
good football is a combination of all traits
@Poglavnik
“Funny thing is those older players know how to play with the ball and they let it do most of the running.”
You weren’t pressuring them when they had the ball and gave them time to play?
Or you were pressuring them but they were just to good for you?
I call BS on that we need to play smart.
We need to compete and run with purpose.
We have lost because we DO play like the over 35 League that allows for a walk the ball around the park.
We have had 4 game stretch without ANY urgency.
I hope Dalić picks a hungry squad who will leave it on the ptich for 90+ minutes.
I am looking forward to seeing what these guys are made of.
Yes Čačić represented the dysfunctionality of the HNS and despite the congenial disposition cut a depressing figure.
But now it is square on the players.
And yes Modrić as the captain has to show up.
@Poglavnik
I know football isn’t MMA.
You believe that the NT plays smart?
I watched Rijeka vs Olympiacos in the first leg tie and something that impressed me was the work rate of the Rijeka players when they didn’t have the ball, this to me is one of the main areas the national team really sucks at.
In my opinion the NT has one thing going for it and that is, that it’s a decent counter-attacking team, it’s the reason we do well against better teams that come at us, and are all at sea when teams just defend against us.
Zee…why you sorry bro?!
Sorry slavonac from canada. Happy thanksgiving! Zivili!
Serbia win tommorow and Croatia win tommorow We are all happy !!!
@pog
case in point:andrea pirlo
Zivili pog!
I’m gonna wake up early, shag my wife (for the 3rd time in 4 days), go make coffee and read the news. At approximately 9 I’ll make breakfast for the family (let my wife sleep in…she’s always working hard for our family of 7)…then have a crap, a shower…have a prayer 😉 for our team and then plop on the sofa to get ready for the game!
Likewise Zee.
Zivili!
Football isn’t MMA. Running around like a chicken with your head cut off won’t guarantee a win. There’s another saying that goes “play smarter not harder.” We need to be on the same page to create some moves and finish our chances.
It’s like me in my Masters Division. I remember thinking I can’t wait to turn 35 and be a rookie playing against players that are all older than me. I’m gonna run them into the ground and be the fittest dude out there. Funny thing is those older players know how to play with the ball and they let it do most of the running.
Pog couldn’t have said it better! Happy thanksgiving bro!
All i know is I am looking forward to my Canadian Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Getting paid to get wasted, watch footy, and scream at my television is something I am very thankful for.
Perugia,
You make sense but with the one Luka comment I think we have to take his comment in context.
When Kovač took the team to Brazil it was just after a long season and many guys were fatigued…when that’s the case, it’s the best time to get injured and that’s exactly what happened. Remember how we lost Strinic and then had to replace a midfield position with Sammir? Ilicevic, Kranjcar got injured and a few others were on the fence of making it.
I totally agree with hard work…talent can only get you so far but as I’ve said many many times before…who’s gonna step up and take responsibility…who will lead…who will sacrifice????
would Portugal beating Switzerland for first be good for us?
“Bullshit, we had more talent than Mexico and Portugal and we have a lot more talent than Ukraine.”
Tito Ortiz once said, “hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.” Like when we couldn’t get a win against Azerbaijan and lost to Norway and Modric said we “gave 100%,” so we worked hard but lacked the talent!
“Yeah, tactics are important but we have to blame the players at some point. They’re responsible for their overall play and work rate.”
I didn’t watch the game but from this selection of comments I’ve come to the conclusion that we don’t work hard enough and expect that with our talent that things will just happen for us, and it does look that way, at least in the games I’ve watched.
Wasn’t Kovac sacked because he worked the team to hard, and Modric wanted a more relaxed training with the national team?
Like UFC fighters say, “the training is hard, the fight is easy.” Croatian national team doesn’t like training hard, so the Croatian way becomes, “the training is easy, the game is hard,” which the results clearly indicate.
Are we still playing that stupid 4-2-3-1 formation, I mean we got a back 4 and still need two defensive mids and one of them is Modric.
How shit are our defenders?
@Soul Champ
Modric should play attacking midfield without the responsibility of having to defend, but in my opinion he fears failing in that role and is happy in his safe space/comfort zone, playing the role he plays for RM for the national team, which will take us absolutely nowhere.
We saw against Portugal how Modric played, he’s a defensive mid that can attack sometimes against the shit teams.
anyone got a idea if we will be seeded, I really don’t keep up with Fifa ranks much
Pivarić was good last game, but he’s almost always mediocre to bad. You can’t blame people for assuming the worst with him.
Also, I wouldn’t assume this game will be all goals galore.
A 1-0 win for either team takes them through. I expect a timid first half from both teams.
If it’s still 0-0 in the second half, then things will begin to open up.
looks like Mario is fit tomorrow
I would go
Kramaric
Mario rakitic perisic
Luka Badlej
Hadley will probably play because of a consistence but at this point I could give a rats ass about that argument so please can we avoid it
@OneLastChance
Sure if this game was played on paper.
@bz
youre being completely obtuse. Vrsaljko was technically the worst player on the pitch. Osnovne greske.
Being a bit harsh there. What happen on that “lapse” can happen to anyone, I’m starting to doubt he even saw it due to vidas jump
Without pivaric we lose the game so how about that? When he knocked it around the fin and ran around him I’m interested in your thoughts on that move. Or when he zipped in a few low crosses in which one led to a goal. Pivaric sucks believe me overall he’s a stop gap at LB. but he played a decent match and behind Luka Modric he was up there.
A bit like Mexico, and Portugal, if we don’t win we will sit here and compliment our opponents on being a better team.
Bullshit, we had more talent than Mexico and Portugal and we have a lot more talent than Ukraine.
Zlatko is a stand-up guy so I’m hoping it goes well for him.
Ukraine needs the win as well so at some point during the 90 minutes it’s going to have to open up. There should be goals.
@Pog-yah Roberto Carlos ttyl
@Idemo-I’ll take the defender who didn’t sit there hoping Vida would take care of business again. Pivaric’s defensive lapse was way worse than anything any other player did on the field on Friday. I’ll settle and be happy to sit both Pivaric & Vrsaljko for 3 back. 4 back is not working for us. Neither of these guys are Jarni or Srna.
Rakitic better play, all I am saying.
At this point, we need to win–we shouldn’t bank on the Wales game drawing in a favorable manner.
Perhaps being in a ‘must-win’ situation is what’s needed to wake these players up out of their lethargy.
I remember hearing a tale of a general who had his soldiers burn all their boats prior to a battle–so there is no escape! With victory against the enemy the only way out. And right now all of Croatia’s boats are burned and victory is the only way to the World Cup!
IF, (and it’s a big IF), IF the players are motivated enough they can beat the Ukraine, they have the talent to do so.
Long term though I still see a lotta problems in the Savez and with the current coach. Even IF they do qualify for the WC, this coach is not good enough to take them far. And the cancer that’s in charge of the Savez has to go for there to be long term success at that national team level….
Imagine a shoot out 5-4 us winning on a 91st minute goal
Good luck to you guys tomorrow! You will need it!!!
Agreed soul champ.
yeah fuck a tie we need a win just ran my Monte Carlo simulations
Just go by what Mile has noted here and laid out in the other thread. He had it nailed scenario wise and he’s correct.
He explained the scenario if we tied. Have to hope Wales/Ireland ends in a draw as well, preferably 0-0.
A win and we would be in the playoff regardless.
Why does our score line of tie matter? GD would stay the same or is it going that deep into goals for?
Yeah Rog on the right will be a joker for Ukraine
The team needs a shake up, that’s obvious.
Ukraine like Iceland and Turkey and Finland will run into the ground to win for their country.
We need a few players like Rog to run into the ground.
Then we need Modrić to play forward and create goals.
At this point just want to see 90 ++++minutes of Heart and Soul.
Fuck the scoreboard.
This is the Soul of Croatian soccer on the line.
U boj …
Rog should start. Again pjaca not in hurts real bad.
Guys, for the last time, we need to win, unless Wales tie and we tie by a score of one goal more.
Interesting…reports are that Rog is starting and to be the “Joker”…hmmmm…
I’m still in shock we have to be talking about Scotland friggin Greece etc. Too much. I replayed the anthem from Friday. The 7 year old kids who stand with the players showed more emotion during ljepa nasa. Unreal. We need the pride and fire back. Let’s blare it out like other teams do ! Shit that pisses me off. Watch Italy Uruguay etc. During their anthem.
@maminjo
I thought the goals Aganist worst team do not count towards GD for runner up rankings ?
They hit 3 on Malta tonight
I think the only team we can surpass with a Ukraine draw is the second place team in the Ireland/Wales group.
If Ireland and Wales draw, then it leaves Wales as 2nd place with the same point total as us.
We are tied in goal differential with Wales, but with one less goal scored, so we need to draw 1-1 with Ukraine to be tied with Wales (assuming they go scoreless 0-0 draw with Ireland).
If either Wales or Ireland win that game, they are ahead of us.
If Serbia draws Georgia (and Wales win), then Serbia would drop to second and are ahead of us still.
Only if Serbia loses to Georgia, then they would be even with us on points but with a worse goal differential.
So…the ONLY way we get through with a Ukraine draw is if it’s a 2-2 draw AND the Ireland/Wales game is scoreless.
The other possibility is if Serbia loses to Georgia in Beograd (with Wales winning in Cardiff).
…I meant to say “Croatian media”…
It seems like the Croatian is a bunch of dramatic douche bags….always looking to make every situation look bad and doom and gloom.
Honestly, as a Croatian, I’ve never in my life played in a game I never felt we could win…that’s the truth! Playing the Ukraine in their country makes things a little harder but definitely not impossible or even close to that. We have to take matters into our own hands…do we really think they are better than us and that we will do as well as they allow us to? FUCK NO!!!
This game is about us, not them! We have a decent team…with some great individuals that have to step up and make the difference. If I was on that field, I’d put it in my mind that my country is pulling for me (not all), I’m a player that represents a nation…and I’m doing this for them…how much more inspiration does one need?!
@Idemo
Are you sure about that?
Scotland is out.
Slovakia finished second in that group and are ahead of us in the runner up rankings (goal differential too).
Are you saying that if we had a quality coach with experience coaching a group of talented players like we have we would be in this situation?
Šuker should be fired. Did u watch the second half against Finland? That was embarrassing. It actually looked like Rakatič was trying to lose on purpose.
It’s over.
Steff to
Vida plays LB and who plays CB? Lovren injured corluka injured
You gonna partner mitrovic with who ?
All we need is a draw now any draw
ZDS lifestyle,
Was it the tactics when Perisic decided to leave his check on the corner kick vs Iceland, or when Kalinic missed a sitter?
Yeah, tactics are important but we have to blame the players at some point. They’re responsible for their overall play and work rate.
Also not sure why Vida doesn’t play at left back?
He’s played there before for years!
You could easily play Vida Lovren\Corluka Mitrovic Sime.
That’s a solid back 4 in my opinion.
Draw is still good we on GD above scots
2-2
Suker:
“Throughout history, Croatia always had domestic coaches and we were guided by that, we didn’t want a foreign one. We have 17 points, still can reach the play-offs. We spoke to the players, they are all professionals, they know the coach depends on results.
Stef T. to Suker:
“Throughout history, Croatia always had domestic coaches and we were guided by that, is that why we never won any tournaments and why you fired 3 coaches in 4 years?
Why the fk doesn’t someone ask him those questions???
Bullshit,it’s not all them. It’s the tactics and formation the coach uses. Why do u think they are in this mess. With all the injuries now it doesn’t matter. It’s over, except it and move on.
Except for world class Modrič everyone else is garbage. Niko Kracjar was a superstar for the National team compared to these bums.
Start from scratch and rebuild.
2-1 Slovenia
If they play only 1 striker it’s a gurenteed loss. 1-3-2-4 formation has ruined this team. Read all my past posts, but it is too late now. If Rakatič plays we lose 3-0. How the f##k on a team with such talent does Pivarič get the most touches. Rog was a disaster when he went in…..but what do you expect from a guy who does not play, and personally I’ve always thought was shit. He only knows how to foul (read my old post).
I’m predicting a win for Ukraine 2-0
I thought it was already determined we need a win?
Obviously playing for tie is less stressful but we all know Croatia historically doesn’t do well playing for ties
It’s all in boys and girls
Coaching aside it’s them out there and they have to play with the fire or they ain’t no vatreni
I was not a Cacic fan, but there needs to be a “Come to Jesus Talk” among the players. This scenario has played out over the last three qualifying campaigns since Bilic left the team. T
The manager is responsible to facilitate the players to perform. But those players seem to be the common denominator in these sub-par performances.
If Scotland win today and we win tomorrow, we’ll be ahead of them?
Scotland is 0:1 up at HT vs Slovenija we are the worst second placed team as it currently stands if Skotska win we need to defeat Ukraine which will be harder to do than go and play for a draw.
@poglavnik you mean Philip lahm Croatian papers haven’t gone through?
@bz
No one likes pivaric more than vrsaljko, vrsaljkos upside is clearly larger but he has been utter SHIT
you’re rating of pivaric in the last game is extremely incorrect.
Scotland scored
So who goes in for Pivaric?
Roberto Carlos?
Hope Dalic doesn’t get too cute.
Totally psyched for tomorrow’s game, not bc of Dalic but because I know we can win, and I love must win games.
@Truth-if Rog starts at RW we are destined to not qualify. Watch the game again, and tell me he did anything positive in the final 3rd. Plus ge will get himself an early yellow.
Pivaric cannot be on the field. I get it, you all like him better than rusty Vrsaljko. But this isn’t Pivaric vs Vrsaljko. Pivaric’s momentary lapse of concentration is the only reason we cannot play for a tie tomorrow.
Srna better be sharing some of those PEDs.
We’ll need it for this game.
Kramaric
Perisic rakitic rog
Badelj modric
Pivaric vida lovren vrsaljko
. Subasic
Best guess here on Ukraine from my sources.. Let’s see if rog can attack from the right side this game without tripping over his own feet
Srna met with the team in Ukraine
@soul champ, your dead on with saying bring real people to the savez. That’s where the problem lies as we all know. You can fire coaches left and right but that won’t do anything. Until the cancer is removed from HNS we will have issues like this all the time. There is no will, desire, passion and effort to play soccer! Atmosphere around our team is at its lowest point and only HNS to blame. I really hope Ukraine pumps us and we’re left outside looking in
Islam came to Croatia with sword in hand. It killed and enslaved tens of thousands. It ruined our deveopment as a nation and gave us nothing. No Muslim will ever admit this because they don’t care.
Fuck them to hell.
@slavonac….. over night they stole from us and used to shoot at us. its a Bosnian NT for sure but it really does seem like the younger generations are forgetting, what do guys in 97 know about the war? and in the mixed parent households its even more interesting.
@toronto cro
last spring break in Florida I saw a guy with a similar vest to yours in a strip club, I asked him if he spoke croatian, in croatian and he got weirded out like he thought I knew he had a wife or some shit lol
Slav you think those Muslims you love wouldn’t turn on you ?
Sretan rođendan Zvonimir Boban.
Example of a combination of character and intelligence.
Šimić
Boban
Time to bring in real people into HNS.
@ Kasalo
Exactly.
The kid is back in form and we need some power and speed on the wings.
Bring back Rebic–we need some fire in the front.
@cigan i agree for some strange reason we gonna crush em. We gonna be ok. I had a night to sleep on it now the change bye ukraijna.
It’s all over no WC for us to many problems, Croatia has turned into a self hating sell out country full of Cash fans and jugovic lovers, sad but true .
=U=
@Zee
the past 4 games i was so optimistic, and thought for sure we would win all those games by at least 2 goals. But, now…i think i still didnt learn my lesson cuz I’m still really optimistic lol and i think we are gonna smash ukraine!
Cigan yes we can we gonna win this game.
Yarmalenko will score on us for sure, the only question is, can we score at least two goals?
Idemo,
I see things like this. Personally, I have absolutely zero issues with Bosnian Muslim players…ZERO! I played with 3/4 team of Muslimane (although they all ate pork and drank alcohol in those days). I like Jajalo and Halilovic, although I don’t think Halilovic is ready.
My thing with the BiH team is that I believe it’s, for the most part, a Muslim team. Even though all 3 ethnic groups live there…most Croatians people that are good enough will play with Hrvatska, same with cedo’s! With that said…I’m still not over what the Muzzies did to us during the war…I felt they back-stabbed us!
The only positive thing i can say is …a slump has to turn around at some point right?
We’re clearly in a slump …so why not turn it around in Ukraine.
We have beaten countries like Spain.. we know we can beat a country like Ukraine….so let’s see.
Right on TC – that’s the guy siminic- the disgrace of this campaign is unfathomable- the corruption , the deceit, the outcome- it’s all connected
What do we do? We love our country- our team and we have to be ridiculed in the world soccer market – dark days with no light at the end
This guy was hired cause he helped zoran mamic get a job in the middle East
Just let Simunic make this team to his image and likeness!
Is mandzukic out? It’s not like Ukraine are a super power I can’t see why we can’t beat them even if it’s in Kiev just hope they can play with some heart
Firing Cacic comes far too late. Should have happened immediately after the Euros, but the complicating factor was that there were limited options since we can’t pay for a real manager.
Our only hope is that we come out against Ukraine looking like a completely different team. No chance that happened with Cacic and not sure if it happens with Dalic, but given the talent of our squad it would not be a total shock if we play well and get 3 points.
Your opinion, as you’re entitled to it. I just don’t see anyone stealing this ship in another direct especially another Arab journeyman, hopefully the firing has shown the guys that they should feel replaceable and their syphinctars tighten up (even though they know they’re not)
so a draw is not enough unless its a high scoring draw?
so basically we need goals, sigh
i just don’t see it – i think we’re fucked guys.. its game over man.. ITS GAME OVER *Aliens voice*
Kek would turn this team around in 48 hours.
He’s an offensive coach who would not be motioning them to play back after they score.
Best option we could ask for. At least it was discussed. Gives me hope that he takes over one day in the future. Dude would fix everything.
Peter/ maminjo
What would have anyone done for Ukraine/playoffs nothing
We could have borrowed mourinho or God himself, we are talking about changes in culture here.
@Maminjo, If that is indeed true, I would have taken that offer but the Federation is too Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to go for something such as that.
@slavonac
I put that question about your thoughts of balija bosanci and juxtaposing that with Jajalo and Halilokebab
Jajalo croatia youth all the way, just didn’t cut and BiH calls him up, is he a balija?
Halilokebab “Allen” super Croatian name father “Sejad” Alen known supporter of FK Sarajevo do we have a balija in our ranks?
The talent on this squad better show on Monday. We will see their true colors.
TRBO SRBO, two Croatian players are worth more than your country.
Apparently, Damir Miskovic offered to let us borrow Matjaž Kek for the Ukraine game plus playoffs.
bunch of pickice playing for hns
Serb Vlachs go fuck yourselfs
CroatianTrolls.com now extending trolling privileges to pig farmers… I mean Servs.
You can all say what you want and throw all the senerios out there, but you know yourself that you guys shit the bed and its lights out for you guys. Might as well start prepping for the euro qualifiers cause that’s all you have to look for.
To think one can predict sports is a false concept. The best we can do is probabilities and confidence intervals
This become valuable when they contradict the commonly held beliefs of the crowd
In this case, the crowd looked at Croatia in first place and thought the ticket was booked to Russia. I merely heavily cautioned against that that Croatia s performance was not that of a dominant team and mean reversion was a high likelihood
Wow truth troll. You really did tell us all! Boldy predicted a win, loss, or draw… and you were right! Amazing!
@anonymous. Too funny man! I’m howling!
The main thing i warned about was that Croatia was not nearly as good as some people saw. My models were picking this up through variables such as position and quality opportunities
As a result, i warned that even though Croatia was in first place my models were flashing an under fifty percent chance of making the world cup
Good idea Truth Troll… I too shall start referring to my penis as “my intern”. I’m still calling playing fifa on my Xbox as playing fifa on my Xbox though.
What exactly did you “tell us so” about? You told us anything might happen, and anything did. What was your big prediction Oracle of troll with Xbox controller and one hand, and piša in the other… (excuse me, “intern” in the other)?
^ ^
You and me both. I’ll stay positive for a couple of more days at least.
Poglavnik,
I really hope they come out flying and I honestly think they’ll either do that or completely fold. We have the ability to destroy Ukraine if we put the foot on the gas. Things during the game will go up and down but If they can concentrate well, we can beat them by at least 2 goals…I’m sure about it! I’m not saying we will, I’m saying we have the ability. This team has demonstrated they can dictate the play in the past and there’s every reason to believe it again!
I’m not giving up just yet!
wow, my intern really messed things up. and mile pointed it out. there’s no path out of the Slovakia/Scotland group. and now with Cyprus losing it worsens the outlook. finally, it looks like the only way out of the Ireland-wales group is for a low scoring tie between those teams and croatia to score 2 more goals than wales in those ties
now the chances for the world cup look dismal
chance of being worst second place team with tie 92%
croatia loss to ukaine and eliminated 35%
croatia tie but worst second place team (40% x 92%) = 36.8%
croatia but make playoff (40% x 8%) 3.2%
croatia win to make playoff (25% x 80%) = 20%
croatia win to direct qualifying (25% x 20%) = 5%
so croatia has a 23.2% chance of making the playoffs. and if they make it, a 50% chance of winning that, so 11.6% chance of qualifying via playoff + 5% chance of qualifying direction
–> cro world cup chances now sit at 17%
hate to say I told you so
@Slavonac
i agree the timeline’s a little off but our captain should be a little more positive. We just need a win. He should be rallying the boys not adding to the negativity.
Truth Troll/Ziva/Turkey/Srbo… how many teoll personas can one 4th grader have? Run along now. The pigs and goats in Servia are missing your company
Greece wins 1-2 so we’re forced to beat Ukraine.
How long until the players lose respect and motivation with this new guy?
Lika Joey, your soccer team is sad and embarrassing
Go back to playing X-box and eating D’s truth troll
Poglavnik, this started before Modric’s testimony…don’t think this is about him!
This situation is just sad and embarrassing.
Anyone think Modric flipflopping on the Mamic testimony has anything to do with our teams performances of late? Wouldn’t surprise me if it did. Especially with the way he’s now torpedoing Cacic.
thought I should share here too to help the diaspora
group h breakdown
cyrpus up 1 -0. if I’m not mistaken, Greece must lose to Cyprus or else they will be ahead of Croatia for second place.
Greece will sit on 11 points with a tie against Cyprus but a goal differential of +3 vs Croatia’s goal differential of +2
group f
need Scotland to tie or lose vs Slovenia
group d
need Ireland to beat wales. or if wales and Ireland tie, Croatia and wales will sit even goal difference (+2). but wales will have more goals scored at 7 vs Croatia’s 6. so will matter on a Croatia tie how many goals Croatia scores vs how many goals wales scores
so there you have the scenarios where Croatia could tie and sneak into the playoffs
now a bit of positive news for the diaspora that is worthwhile to consider. here are how I see final odds of outcomes. lets first start with some basis assumptions
cro-ukraine win/loss/tie 25/40/35
ice-Kosovo win/loss/tie 80/15/5
last second place team 10% (all these events must happen not happen)
cyrpus win (40%)
Scotland loss/tie vs Slovenia (70%)
Ireland win/tie vs wales with goal differential edge (45%)
so you’re probability tree ends up looking like this for Croatia outcomes
Croatia loses and eliminated 35%
cro tie and play off (40% x 90%) = 36%
cro tie and knocked out (40% x 10%) = 4%
cro win and playoff (25% x 80%) = 20%
cro win and direct qualify (25% x 20%) = 5%
To take a step further, cro would have to go to the playoff, so if you want to look at world cup probability assuming 50/50 on any playoff it looks as follows
Take the playoff odds for 56% and divide by 2 –> 28% chance of making world cup via playoff
add in 5% chance of direct world cup qualification
–> cro’s chances of making the world cup sit at 33%
My Dream Lineup:
———–Rebic——Livaja———-
Vlasic–Pasalic—Rog–Halilovic
–Milic—-Vida—Corluka–Tudor–
Probably would finish the game with a few red cards but i would be entertained.
I’ve finally flipped.
I hope all games are ruined by the fans until the federation is wiped clean and replaced.
Wherever Denis and Ziva have disappeared to, i’m following…
New coach should start the squad that beat Mexico in the friendly earlier this year. Those kids would give a better effort than our first line starters!
Doesn’t matter who becomes the coach. “The fish stinks at the head.”
word on the street the Zlatko Dalic is very good at communicating with players, where ever he played the players loved him..i think he could be just what we need, but only time will tell.