Well, we’re definitely getting our money’s worth with this Croatian team.
For a second straight qualifying campaign, Croatia will require a two-legged playoff tie in order to make it to the big dance. But unlike Turkey two years ago, this one’s a bit different.
Croatia crushed Turkey 3-0 on the road in 2011 and all but ended the tie before the two teams even stepped foot in Zagreb for the second game. But with Croatia’s inability to score an away goal against 10-man Iceland on Friday, the scenario becomes simple with tactics being a whole other discussion.
It’s quite simple. Croatia win and they’re in. Lose and watch the World Cup with Mai Tai’s by the pool.
But a draw favors visitors Iceland. Sine the away goals rule is in play, should Iceland draw 1-1 or 2-2 in Zagreb, they would be going to the World Cup for the first time in history. If the game ends 0-0, an extra 30 minute period will be played with penalties the final decider if no goals are scored. But this is where tactics are key for manager Niko Kovač in a game where one goal can make or break your World Cup berth.
It has been reported out of Zagreb that Iceland will play a conservative 4-4-1-1 formation which would be implemented to keep Croatia without a goal throughout the game, utilizing a bunker/counter-attack approach. Star midfielder Luka Modrić has already said before Tuesday’s match that: ‘Iceland will play for penalties.’
That may be true, but at this point Iceland is playing with house money and will come into Maksimir full of confidence. Playing with 10 men for nearly half the match in Reykjavik, shutting out Croatia in the process, they know they could bunker down at a moment’s notice to get the job done. That’s why Croatia needs to be careful of conceding a goal to Iceland. Not only would the Vatreni have to score twice in the game, but Iceland would throw 11 players behind the ball for the rest of the match.
That’s why Croatia has to start hot and find a goal in the first half while obviously keeping Iceland at bay. That will cause Iceland to open up in search of an equalizing goal where Croatia can finally take advantage and break the bank. That’s why Kovač needs to start a player who will run at the Icelandic defense to open up the sides. If Eduardo can do that, fine. But if Fiorentina’s Ante Rebić can duplicate what he did late off the bench in Reykjavik; then start him. Croatia needs to be aggressive and quick offensively Tuesday night and stop the slow motion antics.
If Croatia can do that they will 2-0 in Zagreb and punch their ticket to the World Cup in Brazil. However, the longer the game remains scoreless, the more it favors Iceland. Let’s hope for a quick goal to relax the nerves because a frustrating Icelandic bunker in a scoreless game will eat at the players and the fans alike at Maksimir.
so you think we played with no heart in the first leg……………..
good lord. Werer you measuring the heart rate of the players during the game. You sound like another idiot who equates winning with playing with heart and losing with playing with no heart.
Ziva istina, no heart equals shitty team that just passes ball back and forth like Croatia did in the first leg , what the fuck were you watching in the first leg ? All I saw was the ball going back to pletikosa and him clearing his line every time ..
@Iggy, that’s pure HATE and DISCRIMINATION!
Life isn’t fair man but there are millions of people out there that have plenty more to bitch about that are from every nationality that walks on this ever-lovin planet.
Peace out.
@T-Bone,
That and 25 cents will buy me a bag of chips.
design and sell your own
do the ones with the checkers but all black instead of blue
i’ll buy it and so will others anytiome we want to piss off serbs, which let’s face is, it always
One of my uncle’s who died in the war – his house survived in vukovar even tho obviously many didnt but somehow his did
and you know who’s living in it now ?
some serb cunt
fuck ’em
LOL. You should open a shop on here. I still can’t find a decent priced current Cro Away jersey. Those suckers are never on Ebay for less than $80.00!
@T-Bone,
Western Union me some $$$ and I will be on my first flight to Zagreb. CroatianSports.com runs off of $0.
On to nogomet,
I’m disappointed you CSR guys aren’t in Zagreb for the match, instead we get Jake “The Snake” Svircic. Wtf? You guys aren’t supporting the boycott of “Puppet Suker” and Mamic are you?
Years ago I remember hearing Boban say Croatian soccer was in his exact words “lost at sea”. This was just before Bilic took over and built a team that made it close to the Euro final. If we lose tomorrow Croatian football will be at the bottom of the sea of Iceland.
Couple points before I hit the sack: Looking back at Friday’s game I’m still disappointed. I think the Modric turnovers, some of the aimless, indecisive plays or non-plays made me question whether this team has forgotten how to score. We didn’t rattle any posts or crossbars which can be better than shooting through air. Fuck. Yea the Iceland goalie was good and the defense was always moving but there was not one outstanding save by the former and not a highlight intervention from the latter. Cro has no option but to score first and score often after that. Niko’s gotta fine-tune the lineup and put out the winners. I still say drop Eduardo and Iliicevic goes without saying. Move Pranjic up on the LW and Lovren as LB. I like Olic to nick that goal in the box. If we concede it becomes an f-in mountain climb to beat their defense. Sigthorsson loss is HUGE, we can push them more and take a few risks. Everything’s on the line, we’ll see what happens tomorrow but I have a feeling there will be some f-in surprises.
Ajmo Vatreni!!!
@ Anonymous
I doubt that these dudes have the time to sift through the comments and remove all the improper comments. I put up an expletive-laced post and it’s still up there.
I think I recognize you as the guy who is banging on about white people being discriminated against. Dude relax, there are people that are anti-anything that doesn’t conform to their beliefs or standards. There are people out there that are anti-rich, anti-poor, anti-black, anti-asian, anti-muslim; if your not happy with your lot in life figure out why that is and how many of those factors are “real” and can be positively identified. I’m white and male and have felt that opportunites have been denied be because of this. But you know what, if I look hard enough I can see a lot of opportunites that I’ve missed or been too damn lazy to have grabbed when it was there. Life isn’t fair man but there are millions of people out there that have plenty more to bitch about that are from every race that walks on this ever-lovin planet.
Peace out.
Sadly no video will be up. Just been too damn busy with college work today and didn’t want to put up the video last minute. Will be recording post game stuff, hopefully will find some crazy Croatians to do some stuff with.
@TGC:
You are the Nostradamus of CSR.
Haaha that’s funny goldenchild!! I think we have it in us to put a prison style beat down on the Eskimos! I mean we’re overdue for one. Iceland was lucky to witness modrić play his worst game in years last Friday. Give them some credit, they have a coach who knows wtf he is doing so give credit where credit is due and stop bashing our brothers and questioning their heart. That’s not Cool, nor is it Croatian. Luka and raketa looked decent as bottom pivot, I would start rebic on one wing. The kid knows that sometimes as a winger you have to put your head down and get past the fullback. With pranjic overlapping it could open up an opportunity for rebic to pull a Robben-style cutback and shoot. I don’t believe perisic was as bad as people made him out to be last Friday. He was positive Atleast and besides a couple poor crosses he played as well as any Croatian winger we have. So maybe put perisic on the right since he is good with both feet, rebic on the left and kovačić in the hole behind SMM. Ajmo!!!
“If olic plays he will not score unless the ball hits him” hahhahaha – Like
If olic plays he will not score unless the ball hits him. I see 1-0 or maybe 2-0 need to score early if we dont score till 30th min the wahats left of the crowd will be restless. And i want to go to brazio regardless of the mess we are in player wise and rebic over olic anyday since when does trudi se count. And mandzo ajmo. As for ilicevic guy is good just isnt a starter as of vyet and lets see tommorow Mordric needs to wake up and the swiss miss rakitic too
Just read that kovacic and olic will be replacing illicevic and dudu in the lineup .. Hvala Bogu
@Anonymous, the team might suck, but you definitely swallow you piece of shit. 🙂
most of us? I think we’re just one game away from getting back on track…we are emotional people and can go either way…self destruct or destroy our opponents but we just need that proper mix of talent, a little luck and some confidence…then we may be back on track!
Most of you guys just can’t admit that we suck – kinda like that bitch Glenn Close from the movie “Fatal Attraction”.
hahahahaha…..
I aint leaving the basement tomorrow…no chance
@TGC
I agree ecept i will have the sandwich before the game!
I thought the guys gave it all in the first leg, they do the same tomorrow they should win, i just want to see them score, it’s like a thirst that needs to be quenched.
You know what’s going to happen tomorrow guys?
Croatiansports member timeline:
3 PM to 7 AM: Come up with every possible lineup that Kovac obviously hasn’t thought of, and proclaim yourself the rightful heir to the Croatian coaching throne.
8 AM to 9 AM: Get ready and go to work all while listening to the national anthem on repeat.
9 AM to Kick off: Come up with prediction, read boards, come up with new prediction, read boards, come up with final prediction, tell Ziva to get out of mom’s basement.
Kick off to 85th minute: Dial 911 on phone and keep thumb near send button.
86th minute: GOOALLLL HRVATSKAAA!
88th min: Dial 911 again, and put thumb even closer to send button.
90th min: BLOW THE FUCKING WHISTLE REFEREE
Game done: Come on boards, tell everybody why you were right, make sandwich, fall asleep, come up with next master plan on how Rebic will get golden boot in World Cup.
Ziva – I believe some guys believe they are playing with heart but are exposed on their defensive duties…who likes to backcheck when they are technically gifted? some guys give more going forward than coming back, thats for sure…we all see it!
Kasap iz Dakova- at least try to be original…vidim da ste ovo kopirali od index…hahaha…smijesno!
I just love it when people claim our guys play with no “heart”. For too many of you, you equate winning with playing with heart. Hey, guess what??? you can play with heart and still lose. You can also play with heart and win.
Do you honestly believe our guys didn’t give their all in the first leg.
Eno čujem da se Olić još uvijek na Islandu okreće i rikta na lijevu nogu kako bi ubacio jednako loše kao što to radi desnom. Jedino gore od njegovih centaršuteva su njegovi “bicikli” . Ako već igra nek igra u vrhu napada jer tamo može najmanje zasrat. Bolje da mali Rebić ide na krilo
this team has no heart why make the world cup ? were going to look like idiots that cant play
Olic on the wing bad idea Rebic is only winger i dont care that he 20 my team and bench at fiorentina hes hungry and was only bright spot Friday,Olic Srna Rakitic Modric Mandzukic need to wake up Croatia can without them lineup
Pletikosa Vrsaljko Joe Lovren Carli-Kovacic Males-Rebic Kranjcar Pranjic Benko.
Gotovina in Vukovar
http://www.vecernji.hr/dan-sjecanja/gotovina-dosao-sam-se-pokloniti-zrtvi-vukovara-903509/multimedia/p3
Today in Vukovar during the ceremony they played one of the greatest songs ever made:
“Ne dirajte mi ravnicu”.
The Jelavic situation is a gut feeling opinion on my part whether right or wrong. More importantly let’s just win and get in!
I know and I think it is a bad decision
We Need a Big Game from Modric Tuesday to go Forward ! @ nije bitno , Ante B , & Doktor Prle – Right On , Right On ! ZA DOM !! Bog , Hrvati , USA , Hajduk , i HNS !!!
Jelavic wasnt even on Bench for iceland.
Given up on Jelavic too quickly
First off, lemme slip on my homer ‘shades’ for this one…
Friends, let’s not forget we have Goal Scoring Machine Benko on the bench…
If NK has anything rumbling around in that glava of his, he would bring on Benko in the case he needs some true scoring touch
😉
can’t wait. Make sure its not 10 minutes long or else people will lose interest.
Video will be coming out later tonight. Stay tuned folks.
Rebic was the only one that went foward instead of backwards.
imocan – I like that lineup as well…we have to take chances attacking so i think both Rebic and Kovacic have that extra step it takes to gain a yard to create the final opportunity!
Forgot Luka and raketa as cms
Nazalost the lineup will be Pletikosa Srna Carli Joe Pranjic-Perisic Kovacic Olic-Mandzukic. instead of the lineup Imocan said.
Those advocating for jelavic, I have a question for you???/
Are you related to him???? And based on what? He is the last guy on this squad who plays up front who can create on his own.
Our problem is not with guys who can finish. It’s with creating chances to even come close to finishing.
Jelavic is a slower, less athletic version of Mandzukic. You can’t have the same type of players up front like that.
Here is what Kovac thinks of Jelavic……..He put in Rebic (a guy who has not even played this year) and Benko (an HNL player) ahead of Jelavic. That says it all.
@ Imocan i like that lineup!
Bog narode! i dont know what to say anymore its good Stimac is gone atleast. I really dont know from my football iq i see we have a problem in final third when we get to the 16m box we look lost and cant take a dribble 1-1 we lack ideas in the 16 box. Rebic didnt well only one that went 1-1 when he came in. What do all you think
my team vs iceland
————-Mandza————–
–Rebic—-Kranjcar—-Kovacic
——–Modric–Rakitic———–
-Pranjic-Simunic-Corluka-Srna
————-Pletikosa————-
That is true but I believe that in the last two years that the team is better with Jelavic on the field than with him off the field
“Napustite Markov Trg, kao sto ste napustili Vukovar!”
Tooooo!!
Jelavic needs service, Olic can create with his constant persistance and speed.
Yes those are good points and I realize Jelavic is not getting playing time in the EPL but if you put him in in the last 10-15 minutes then I think at the very least some good goal scoring opportunities will happen. Jelavic and Mandzukic for me is better than Olic and Mandzukic
Ante B.,
I’ve been following the coverage of the events in Vukovar as much as I can today. Yes, I saw some of their faces and reactions. Precious stuff.
Ante Gotovina leading the column really put the nails in ’em as well.
Greatest quotes of the day on the “Croatian” gov’t being “forced” from Vukovar’s procession:
“Ispala peta kolona.”
“Napustite Markov Trg, kao sto ste napustili Vukovar!”
🙂
Jelavic isnt in form, if he were, I’d be the first to jump all over him getting in. A lot of times it really does matter what form a player is in, jelavic was absolutely fabulous last year…he scored everything first touch and he did a decent job holding up the ball….this year he’s really suffered and so I find it would be far too much of a risk to start or play him.
@slavonac he cant score if he doesnt play. but i would not give him any minutes unless in the last 5 minutes we just start pumping the ball into the box needing a goal. but lets hope it does not come to that.
when did Jelavic sniff any meaningful playing time in the EPL? people think Mandzukic is dependent on quality service, Jelavic is even worse!
Jelavic is garbage.
Someone has to help Rakitic out…..look at his hair. He looks like a boy band member with that frizura.
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/ivan-rakitic-dijeli-krivnju—nije-luka-modric–jedini-krivac–i-ja-moram-preuzeti-odgovornost-/1140592/
He resembles this clown (for those of you who follow to pop culture scene in the former yugo)…… http://www.eurobosniamp3.com/deen_int1.jpg
Anonymous…you’d just add to the goal drought…when did Jelavic last score a goal?
goal drought so in my opinion you gotta give Jelevic some minutes.
Jelevic anyone?
@igor
It shows that Iceland is really over achieving! And they should be damn proud!
@igor
It shows that Iceland is really over achieving! And they should be damn proud?!
Armada, how old were you at the ’98 world cup? do you remember Croatia playing Ukraine to qualify? they went into a playoff with a stacked team…well, at least many of us thought they were stacked.
@vatrena cast
Croatia has only 4.3 mil right, then what dies it say about iceland whom only have 300,000 people and are sticking it right to us?
@ vatrena
True, any WC/Euro berth should be celebrated. But when your first team plays at Real Madrid, Sevilla, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, Hamburg, Shahktar, etc. you expect more than just squeeking into a WC or Euro.
Now, say if we were Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, etc. where you have most of your team play in 2nd rate leagues (Greece, Austria, Czech, etc.) or the NT’s respective domestic league, hey – a WC/Euro berth is all you can ask for and the rest is a gift.
I’ve been saying this for a while…Bilic left this team in very good standing and our initial results with Stimac were a residual effect the team had from his time there. They were confident, the morale was great and they all worked as a unit. Once Stimac took over there was controversy after a few months and then the shit started to hit the fan…nobody could do much to stop the fiasco that was going on and this is what happens when your team loses their identity, confidence and belief in each other.
I still think we are a team that can be in the top 15…starting from basics might be necessary…maybe a 4-4-2 lineup…svi za jedan, jedan za sve attitude!
I don’t believe it was the selection of players that got us the 0-0 in Iceland. I believe Ilicevic played cause he hustled in practice and maybe because Olic wasn’t 100%. Kranjcar can only play 30 mins max but should at least get that. When the coach doesn’t play Dudu most of us get upset. When the coach plays him and he doesn’t score we ask why the hell did he play him. We just need to believe that we are strong and that we have quality then everything will be ok. Modric isn’t the guy that will give the last (assisting) pass or score the deciding goal. He’s not that at Real he wasn’t that at Tottenham, and hes not even that for the repka. Hes a player that makes other players around him better. Give him the ball and he won’t lose it, but hes not a player that will win the game for us. Everyone knows that and we know that. Let him play what he’s been playing his whole life/career. We will not win anything trying to score off crosses all game either. Everybody knows that’s our game and we need to switch it up. Even though Rebic played very little, I liked what I saw and think he should get at least 30 mins tomorrow.
For me, I expect qualification to the WC based on how these guys perform at the club level. Anything more than that is extra. I don’t think we can do damage at the WC unless everything alligns right for us.
Im not just talking about the Iceland game. Im saying all together. Now im not not saying we cant play better then how we have been playing. looking at the whole picture I am damn proud if we make any major competition because of our size. Now with the Iceland game it wasnt all bad, kovac cant fix a year of fucking around in 10 days. He said it himself.
We do have players in top leagues and that is something to be proud of in itself.
I do expect more but a world cup berth in its self is an accomplishment for a nation of our size.
nije bitno – Amen Bro!!
@nije bitno…..true. Tough not to play someone if they excelled at practice, assuming that is the case.
@slavonac…….Ok, nothing special. Quick few days. Spent night 1 in Stockholm and flew over on the day of the game.
@vatrena cast……..we have players who play in the top leagues in the world and a few players who are playing at top-tier clubs. It would be one thing if we had players like Iceland, but on paper we are better. The fans should expect more in terms of results recently.
He might have gave Ilicevic the thumbs up because he showed the most in practice and worked the hardest during training. So you cant really knock on Kovac for playing him if you weren’t there for the practices.
RESPECT TO VUKOVAR SKABRNJA AND TO ALL THE FALLEN SOLDIERS THROUGHOUT HRVATSKA. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
hahaha…how was Iceland?
Here is what I dont understand about a lot of the thinking on this site. People act like we are so super football force in the world. We are not. It is impressive when we make the world cup, we are a nation 4.5 million. It should not be a walk in the park. Yes, some of our past teams tasted success but it cant last forever. It has its ups and downs. We dont have the luxuries that most other nations have. We are doing great with what we have. If we make the world cup, which I believe we will, then that is a huge accomplishment in its self.
@slavonac……..agreed. I think Kovac has done all the right things outside of the field. he knows how to play the media game. I’m still not sure about his ability to coach. He whiffed on Ilicevic. We give him a pass for it because it was only one game.
@vatrena cast……..i think Ilicevic and Da Silva drank before the game. That would explain their play.
Well said mate!
This has been the most frustrating and disappointing qualifying campaign ever. WTF!! We have some pretty good fucking talent and our brats are killing it in the european leagues but we got the shake up we finally needed firing stimac. They were nervous as fuck in iceland but we all still cant believe the vatreni couldn’t even buy a goal in the second half. We always play down to the shittier teams level and play amazing against big clubs.Our attack is very predictive and we need to take it to the next level by including modric being the quarterback on the top of the box which is where he is dangerous, like on madrid. I still think we should go with 3 strikers mandza, oilic, and edu hes got the most goals as a Croatian striker why the fuck would they keep him on the bench, 4-3-3 or 4-2-1-3 formation and non stop attack. If they start playing like shit then bring on the young guns. The longer this match goes 0-0 its going to favour iceland and will make everyone nervous as fuck including the guys on the pitch. I know well have a full house of hrvati singing and chanting there hearts out and hopefully thats fuels us up full of momentum and we just run over these icelanders and send them back to there igloos crying. I think well take them 2-0 Ajmo Vatreni
If our only strategy is to spread the ball to the wings and cross it in for mandzo, then Brazil might be a dream at this point and not a reality. If our guys can’t take on defenders and use skill to score goals then we will never have an intimidating team. Even if we do get to the World Cup, playing a style of play where crossing to Mandzo is the bottom line will get us no where.
Ziva – unfortunately politics in sport become far more important when a team is losing, nothing you mention would be an issue if the team was winning. When Bilic was coach, we hardly spoke about Markovic, Mamic and the politics of the team because for the most part, we had a stable environment and the team was relatively successful. I agree with you, yes, Suker is controversial and so was Stimac and Mamic but one of the first things Kovac established once he took over was that he publicy said he’s nobody’s bitch…so I think we are at least on the right track with him!
on another nore, I like how Kovac stood up for his players to the Iceland media…he’s definitely doing the right thing before playing a crucial game!
@ziva if it was 70 beers and 35 of them. so 2 beers each. shit thats embarrassing too! i thought we were a nation of drinkers.
Here is something that I picked up in Iceland and haven’t heard much about anywhere else……………….
When Puppet Suker took over as head of the savez he said he was taking away per diem for the players and the bonus money would be adjusted for qualifying for major tournaments. This from the same guy who was the biggest complainer during his playing days over how little the players received from the savez. And then late last week Suker sends out a memo to the media letting them all know the players will divide up a 500,000 euros if they qualify for the World Cup. Talk about covering his own ass. If I were the players, I would be pissed that Suker came out in public with that figure before the first leg. Just more proof that Puppet Suker is not qualified to lead the savez.
And taking away the per diem when he took over is another example of a bad move. These players need money to cover their expsenses associated with traveling for national team duty. I don’t know about you guys, but when I travel for work I am compensated for my travel, expenses and meals. It shouldn’t come out of my pocket when i represent my company. Same holds here as well. The norm was that players would get about 80 euros per day when they are with the repka, and 120 euros per day when on the raod with the repka. This is a professional game and players deserve to be treated like pros. And per diem is part of that.
Now, maybe this is causing some issues behind closed doors (need to dig a bit more to find out), but its a bullshit move taking away per diem expenses and then expecting the players to pay for shit themselves.
Doktor Prle,
I know you haven’t posted here yet but I can only assume you’re reading this. Please tell me you saw Milanovic’s reaction after he bailed on Vukovar? Smrt crvenima jebo im pas mater.
@zoki
I’m sure he was meaning that you shouldn’t disrespect the icelanders as the were the first country to reconize Croatia as a independent nation.
And maksimir is not the fortress it once was. England, Scotland and beligium proved that.
•••
I’m set to make a nice profit come Tuesday,$4000. Iceland to win and to qualify was a bet too good to refuse $8.50 for win and $ 4.25 to qualify for every $1 were great odds.
I guess the odd makers don’t realize how bad Croatia stinks.
Atleast my Pockets will be full. It will soften the blow when our teams absence at the world cup and the mujos rubbing our noses in it.
Niko Kovac’s latest interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpNFfaRqcOg
.
@ Slavonac
Ideally, yes, I’d want this next generation to get warm and comfy at their clubs (Rebic at Fiorentina, Radosevic at Napoli, Vrsajlko at Genoa, etc.) Ideally, no, I wouldn’t want guys like Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, etc. leading the team either.
But in the lead up to the WC (if we make it) we might not have that luxary… If our old guard continues to drop in form, get slower and play mediocre game after mediocre game, we’ll need that influx of speed, creativeness, etc. whether these kids are ready for it or not.
Sometimes, you just have to be thrown to the wolves/have your feet put to the fire and see what happens…
Armada – I think we are going to slowly see a change and new additions and as much as you and I want to see our team progress I think it was difficult to make changes over the past year as many of these younger kids are still adapting to their newer clubs in Europe and fighting for starting positions. Its impossible to bring in new blood if they arent getting standard minutes at their clubs teams. I hope by next year at this time things do change and one thing that does worry me is who will be the leaders of the team…will we have our senior players like Rakitic and perisic lead the team…that would be a nightmare….imagine having a skilled team with no heart!?!?
@ante k: good write-up. iceland will undoubtedly be playing for penalties. they will have 10 behind the ball all game long (and 11 once the game gets into the later stages) so we have to break them down. how? i am tired of seeing feeble attempts to cross in from the wings and have mandzukic head it in. i get it…..he is great in the air but our service has been terrible from the wings. lifting it for him (and our defenders) on corners and free kicks makes total sense but i would like to see more dribbling/quick passing right at the icelandic defence during open play. put some pressure on them! we will have 70% possession so let’s do something with it other than the same old, same old.
@armada 87. if we can get through tomorrow, bring in some kids to replace the old guard. i am with you there! our offence has been stalled for the majority of this campaign and something needs to be done. will kovac do that tomorrow?? i am curious to see but imagine he would not tinker too much. i expect the usual suspects. still think that will be good enough to survive tomorrow. just hope he starts turning the page after tomorrow, win or lose
@ Slavonac
Oh, by no means should these guys be banished from the NT. Olic, Srna, Simunic, etc. are all NT legends in their own right. None of them deserve banishment. But they should not be locks for starting spots on the NT any longer. But this group of players are all past their primes. I feel as though the more we rely on these guys, the more games like Friday will be in the future; slow, predictable, uncreative, non-attacking nogomet.
It’ll be hard for NK and Co. on moving these guys from a first choice option to sub role. But if we want to make any noise at WC 2014, the coaching staff needs to make some tough decisions and get these young, hungry players in so we have the best chance at making a decent run.
The bigger is not the 70 beers, its the 70 BigMacs consumed by Kranjcar since last Thursday.
“nakon prve utakmice” …”popili 70 piva”…if this was before the game I’d have an issue…maybe its what they needed… to get together and just sit down and talk over some pints!
Well ziva,
The article specifically says the 70 were consumed by 8 players. Don’t think it’s that big a deal either way. Just media BS.
If that is true that they drank 70 beers then we are f***ed. Means they just don’t care. And why should they? They are all millionaires. Hopefully Kovac has them under control.
ahhhh…I immediately think of that French “homo”…Eric Cantona, although he was a great player he looked like a pompous prick.
I agree…didnt one African nation show up to a world cup without sleeves or something?
Lets assume that story is true and 70 beers were consumed. How many players made the trip???? 23???
How many assistant coaches are there??? 4????
How about support staff and official members of the savez????? to many to count.
Also, how about the VIPs that were travelling with the savez. All of their expenses are covered as well. Ok, lets eliminate the VIPS…..So, 70 beers between players, coaches and support staff (35 or so people) is not a lot. We are talking about 2 beers per person…….Ohh, the shame in having a drink after a game.
my bad….”pop” their collars, as in shirt collars…..my bad on the previous spelling
@ sexually abused cowboy
Also as pointed out above by borg
How bout you get your fuken historic facts right
Have a nice day
@ anally abused cowboy
Lighten up gaylord
What part of my script doesnt comply with historic facts
a. Iceland was settled by vikings , that makes them at least 1% vikings
b.most if not all are blue eyed with freckles
c. Iceland has volcanoes
All these things are true yet you question my imaterial
Unlike you, l dont give a flying fuck about these frozen water cunts. As a matter of fact l hope global warming speeds up so they have to change there name to dirtland or something.
My point is fuck our opposition, lets grow some balls or in your case some pubic hair and destroy these fuckers and bring some pride back to our nation….fuken
“pop” their colors?
Islanđani tvrde: Hrvatski igrači u hotelu popili 70 piva; HNS: Nije istina!
http://is.gd/a4KiXW
playing slow is a tactic and I know most Croatian teams try to use it. we are generally a skillful side so they try to slow the game down and get the opposition to come and get the ball, I think we need to change that system as well.
@slavonac……..good question. Another one. Although we are seeing this less and less now, but how about players who “pop” their colors. People who do that are me-first and not team-first.
Armada – all good points and I agree with most of what you say, I still believe Olic could serve us well as a sub and as an example to the younger guys on the team. I wouldnt be sad to see Srna or Simunic gone…Simunic does more for us than Srna but he’s getting slower by the day!
I’ve always found players who motion as if they are sucking their thumbs like a baby after scoring a goal as very queer.
The socks thing is stupid as well, might as well have long johns on if your gonna hike them up to your taint.
Good point…….While we are a skilled side, we do play slow.
@ Bjorn
Keep term in that post: 2008.
We’re now in 2013. 5 years later. Darijo Srna circa 2008 provide awesome service from the flanks. Was a beast in dead ball situations. Had a bit more speed and wasn’t the diving primadona he is today.
Can you rememeber a game in the last 2 years were you could say “Wow, Srna’s service, or free kicks won the game for us?”. I bet you can’t. Srna has turned into a mediocre and slow RB.
I think RK and NK slowly need to start moving our old guard (Srna, Olic, Simunic, etc.) into more of a reserve role and time to put these kiddies (Vrsaljko, Rebic, Kovacic, etc.) feet to the fire and see what happens (post Iceland). This squad needs an injection of speed, creativity and just overall new blood. Look what happened when Bilic did that in 2006-2007 and brought in guys like Carli, Dudu, Luka, Rakitic, etc. and look at the tournament we had at Euro 2008.
If we make it to the WC next summer and have guys like Srna, Simunic, Olic, etc. still starting – mark my word, we will get shredded in the Groups.
here’s a question.
Ziva always talks about jock sniffers wearing another mans jersey with his name on the back and taking a photo with a pro athlete…I also have a pet peeve and wonder what you might think.
I know many players do this but I find it very queer that a player pulls his socks up over their knees…queer or acceptable?
@Abused Cowboy
Actually, Srna scored a dandy free kick versus Macedonia during EURO2008 Qualifying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW2S6iUs5zE
Olic was one of the only players that had a little spark and attempted to break through the Iceland Igloo (bunker).He needs to play…and complete a clean pass for once.
Mandzo needs to keep his hands down after every missed cross- we get it..it was a bad pass.
Both teams are playing with full heart. No factor on game, it’s all tactics. Although a full and loud Maksimir may evoke more passion within our NT (much needed for some vets-wake up)
Heart=playing without fear giving 100%.
Passion=Playing for something you love (Hrvatska).
question: if we win tomorrow, does that mean we played with more “heart” than Iceland? Because Iceland is playing with a lot of heart.
I’d like to take a moment to thank Zoki for making me cack my balls off..
“what kind of a name fora country is iceland? sounds like a fuckn theme park”
rofl
@MatesicMethod
Last goal from free kick in competetive game for national team Srna had 7 years ago against Australia in Germany.
Pletikosa
Corluka Simunic Lovren Pranjic
Vrsaljko Rakitic Modric (Kovacic) Kranjcar
Mandzukic Olic(Rebic)
ps.
@zoki
learn some history, you’re disgrace
@ Faux
Agreed. Srna needs to be out on the right wing bending those crosses in and when he cuts in Vrsaljko needs to overlap wide as well. Plus Srna may have a winning free kick in him.
@ Dennis
I like Kovacic upfront to run at bunker and give Modric an upfield outlet. Rebic will run down the left flank and Pranjic needs to over lap as you have well stated he can deliver a quality cross.
Kranjcar for Kovacic in the second half to score another goal once the d has softened.
Praying for Rakitic to deliver a bomb from 30 meters to go down in Croatian lore.
It’s the World Cup on the line.
Time to RISE to the challenge.
Bog I Hrvatska !
Croatia needs to play dirty.
Get in their heads a bit.
Stupid viking fucks
They are on croatian soil now
We cant let them dictate terms fuken
What kind of a name for a country is iceland
Sounds like a fuken theme park
Fuck these blue eyed freckled face volcanic cunts
@Denis:
In Srna’s defense he was not producing the bad crosses during the last game.
He still has the ability to cross from the right at a respectable rate.
During Shakhtar’s last CL match, he had 2 sweet crosses that should have been goals.
“Mandzukic and Olic are the same players. No point having both in the game.”
The point is if it’s just SMM They can double team him and he can’t do shit. That’s the problem with only having one striker and one plan of attack, cross the ball in and hope SMM heads one in. I would be happy to see 2 strikers.. maybe Rebic and SMM
We also need that 12th man. What happened to “zovi samo zovi….” Well, Croatia is calling. Hopefully, the fans show up.
I dont mind rebic starting right behind Mandzukic.
Our strikers need service. Unless Perisic and Srna can learn how to cross the ball overnight, Pranjic is the only player that can put in a good bending cross.
Mandzukic and Olic are the same players. No point having both in the game. Both need service to be effective.
Iceland will bunker for most of this game. We need players that can bend in crosses, a players that can take on defenders, draw defenders and cut back a pass or find a player with a pass on the ground.
Its good to be patient with the ball in defense, but once the ball passes to our midfielders, they have to be looking to kill. If they lose the ball, so what. Iceland doesnt know what to do with it. Rinse and repeat. Eventually, we break that bunker and that little leak in Hoover Dam bursts wide open.
Very good article, loved the title. Croatia are a laughing stock this campaign. With everything in their favor they can’t even score or create a clear chance against Iceland. Sramota. Leaving it till the last minute, wouldn’t be surprised if they only started playing seriously in the last 20 mins in Zagreb. When will they finally wake up and take a game seriously?
Ante B, well said
Another one for the fallen warriors, their families and the ultimate sacrifice they made for our homeland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEflANQ2FLI
22 years ago today…Vukovar i Skabrnja 1991 – 2013…
Sjetite se onih koji su pali za nasu domovinu Hrvatsku…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv2KRY8-Lg8
You need more luck better than a spirit !!
so how to make a luck then ,, must easy to take
keep calm (don’t panic) seems you are a good player
show you can do it ! show It !