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CROATIA CRUSH TURKEY 3-0 IN ISTANBUL

By 138 Comments

Photo: Joško Ponoš/CROPIX

Croatia in complete euphoria!

Ivica Olić may not score the prettiest goals, but he gets the job done when he’s on the field. In just the second minute of play in Istanbul, Olić picked up the trash in front of net after Croatian defender Vedran Ćorluka cruised through the Turkish defense on the left side to feed the ball in front of goal. After a deflection, Olić slotted home to give Croatia an early 1-0 lead to take the Turkish crowd completely out of the match- they never recovered.

Turkey pressed hard for the remainder of the first half but couldn’t beat a stingy Croatian defense. In the 32nd minute, Modrić had his shot on open goal deflected out wide to captain Darijo Srna, who crossed the ball into the box to meet the head of striker Mario Mandžukić for a 2-0 Croatian lead. Olić missed a golden opportunity just before the break to triple the lead as he shot the ball right into the Turkish keeper from close range.

With the Turkish team and their supporters completely out of it emotionally in the  51st minute, Srna was fouled on the right side and swung in the following free kick to a wide open Vedran Ćorluka, who headed home for a 3-0 Croatian lead an eventual victory. With three away goals, Croatia look all but through to next summer’s Euro 2012 tournament, barring a complete collapse at Maksimir on Tuesday.

How should Bilić play the second leg in Zagreb? Conservative or Aggressive?

FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS. NO NOISE FROM THE TURKISH COMMENTATORS IN THIS ONE.

  • @DinamoDennis

    Almost forgot about you… and your “that was easy…just like i said” comment.

    Ok, you’re 3-0 prediction was right. You’re 1/10…

    You used “3-0 Croatia” three times the past five games or so. 3-0 isnt a score that comes up quite often you know.

    But explain this: some of your highlights

    “2-0 Dinamo 2011/10/18 at 11:44 am”….. instead, they lost 2-0 against Ajax…

    “Pletikosa…hahah!!! That’s our NT’s number 1!?! God help us! 2011/10/17 at 7:19 am”

    “3-0 (Eduardo, Jelavic x 2) 2011/10/06 at 10:27 am” against Greece…

    “Prediction 1-1 dinamo-Lyon 2011/09/27 at 6:17 pm”

    “Kelava or Subasic are a better option then Pletikosa 2011/09/08 at 4:16 pm ”

    “Olic is a waste. 2011/08/10 at 8:56 pm”

    “3-0 Hrvatska Kalinic,Eduardo and Srna 2011/08/09 at 2:36 pm” This was for a friendly against Ireland, ended 0-0.

    Reply

  • Can anyone confirm a friendly with Australia in December?

    @Petar Radman

    Great point. I mentioned before the game how Turkey had just as bad of a qualifying campaign as Croatia had. For some reason, most of us had Turkey up on a pedestal. I still don’t know if we deserve to qualify, but Turkey definitely doesn’t deserve a spot in the Euro.

    @Mihovil

    Yes, Great site. Thanks for all the links.

    @Wallace

    Denis Svircic: “That lucky Ivica Olic tap in goal off the post for the winner just rubs me the wrong way about that game. Yes, Kranjcar had a few chances on goal as well. However, this game ends 1-1 and no one cares.”
    ————————————————————————–
    What are you talking about? What about Germany’s lucky goal in that game? Croatia clearly outplayed Germany that day, the result was absofuckinlutely just.

    You misunderstood me. I never said that we didnt outplay Germany. All I know is if that Olic “off the German defender, off the post, tap in goal” doesn’t happen, then we are looking at a 1-1 draw. I still rate our performance against England in Wembley higher than the Germany game.

    Can you think of a better performance put on by Croatia? Obviously, Andorra doesnt count. I’m talking about a performance in a big game against a good european team.

    @Colin

    Yes, I agree that its better to have Lovren, Strinic, and Kranjcar return as an option. My point being was this. If Bilic had them available, they would have most likely started on Friday. Lets see what happens when they do return.

    Reply

  • @TheGoldenChild

    “Nice Mihovil. Love that site. I agree with their assesment of Srna. To me, he deserved to share Man of the match with Corluka as he was nothing but a headache for the Turks. Not only did his flopping pay off, but he created havoc on that right side with his persistence. Like I’ve said in the past….find the cross, and we’ll be in business…which is exactly what he did.”

    Thanks TGC, that is a great site! I can do without Srna flopping around the way he does. A captain should not do that in my opinion. However, you and the article are absolutely correct in regard to the success the flopping garnered in this game. At the same time you could see that Florian Meyer was really getting annoyed with him. Just keep dropping those crosses in like that Dario !!!!!! My man of the match was easy and it was Vedran Ćorluka. The guy was possessed in all aspects of the game right from the time he got the show started with that awesome juke around Gokhan Gonul and the nice delivery to the box for the Olic finish. I do not want to detract from everyone else on our team as everyone had a job to do and they all played well. A total team effort. Srna definitely gets a share for MOTM.

    90 minutes to go! Just win baby! 🙂

    @Ivica

    “I like how the website inadvertedly uses Hajduk logos to mark the Croatian players on the field.”

    I just noticed that. I think I picked the wrong day to quit drinking coffee. 🙂 Just win baby!

    Reply

  • I personally believe we beat a phantom enemy. We built them up to be something they definitely are not. We won, great. However, it seems very hollow. The Turks were arguing amongst themselves, with their fans, it was a disaster.

    Sports is all about confidence. Hopefully the boys have exorcised the demons from 3 years ago and can play with some confidence now.

    Reply

  • Nice Mihovil. Love that site. I agree with their assesment of Srna. To me, he deserved to share Man of the match with Corluka as he was nothing but a headache for the Turks. Not only did his flopping pay off, but he created havoc on that right side with his persistence. Like I’ve said in the past….find the cross, and we’ll be in business…which is exactly what he did.

    Reply

  • I believe the Holy Ghost fouled Altintop in the box. Seriously, watch the replay, someone stepped on that guy’s foot.

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  • Denis Svircic: “That lucky Ivica Olic tap in goal off the post for the winner just rubs me the wrong way about that game. Yes, Kranjcar had a few chances on goal as well. However, this game ends 1-1 and no one cares.”
    ————————————————————————–
    What are you talking about? What about Germany’s lucky goal in that game? Croatia clearly outplayed Germany that day, the result was absofuckinlutely just.

    Reply

  • I’d also like to say that I was definitely wrong about Dujmovic. I know a couple guys brought him up and I laughed at you. In all honesty the guy hasn’t been doing anything in Russia. But as many of our players like to do, is play well for the national team while they aren’t doing something at their club. His performance wasn’t great, but he worked very well in the way Bilic wanted the game to be played. He’s big and he throws his weight around a lot more than Vukojevic could due to his large frame.

    And thanks Darijo Srna if you are actually reading this. You listened to me, stop fucking around, and figured out how to cross the ball again. Bravo.

    Reply

  • I never comment on here, but I read it from time to time as for me I lose of some the Croatian in translation off the articles. You guys provide a great resource for following croat players around europe and of course everything else.
    For the guy who says typical Olic goal, first of all Im a hockey guy played just a bit of soccer but always hockey. With out grit in hockey you can make it far but you can’t make that extra step to truly be great. This is how guys make it, not just the extremely talented. Ya for sure his lack of finish at times(euro quarter final) are frustrating. But from what I can see he creates alot of this mayhem and confusion in the defence cause you don’t know where he is going to be. To me he is like a chicken with his head cut off crossed with a rabid pitbull.
    I don’t care how he puts em in, as long as he puts em in and we win.
    I apprecaite Zivas comments and knowledge but I know he says we are not as talented as we think. I think the talent is there, Bilic aside its up to the players to gather their balls and leave it all on the field and for sure they did that in Turkey.
    I think the game in Zagreb is the key to see if this was just a one time victory or if the killer edge is back and kick em while they are down. This is where their confidence grows, cause I’m sure a couple of em deep down are thinking, well did Turkey just shit the bed or did we really play that well.
    As the other poster said, this could very well be a blessing in disguise. Again I don’t know all the guys they have in their ranks like you guys but besides Kovac brothers its much the same team as Euro08. Ya they are older but also alot more experienced and should be bonded as a team.
    I want to be optimistic but I think they get out of group stage at bare miniumum.
    Losing and failing is where the character will come from.
    If you look in alot of sports, I’m sure you will find dynasty type teams who lose in heartbreak fashion or lose near the end like 08 national team.
    Off my soap box… lets keep it going in Zagreb

    Reply

  • @Allen

    You’ve been sippin on that success kool aid a little too much my friend. Mandzukic isn’t good at handling the ball, so i’m not sure what you were seeing. Go back to the tape and watch the entire game. He lost the ball a handful of times and made bad decisions trying to do too much.

    Mandzu is good at the striker position for a couple reasons:

    1) He’s pain na ass.

    He helped with the first goal. Corluka whipped that ball in perfectly, and even though Mandzu missed it, he ran interference on the keeper, which made him lose the ball just for a sec and tip it to Olic. Vulcan is usually very very solid, so it’s very much unlike him to make any type of mistakes like that. Credit goes to the distraction there as well.

    Bilic also brought it up in the press conference, in which he said that he and Olic worked very well with keeping the defense on their toes. Pushing and pulling back and forth to keep them guessing, and to allow for space to be created for the ball to be pushed up.

    2.) If he’s with 10 feet of the 6 yard box, I have about 90% faith that he’s going to slot it home in any way possible. He’s good at making quick decisions on how to get that ball in.

    So don’t crown him yet. But I’ll say this, he’s definitely grown on me. I used to hate his game and basically everything that he did, but he’s really proven himself as an asset.

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  • @Poglavnik
    The only reason i bet against them this time, is the last time a bet for them, agaist turkey, and i suffered double the pain, money and emotionly. This time around i thought if they lose it will soften the blow. It works with other teams aswell, eg: i placed a bet on greece to win the euro 04 tournament, after they escaped the group stage, not only because i sensed they would go far, but also because i didnt want them to go far (i would never hear the end of it from my greek friends) but at least if they do win, and they did, i profited from the experience.
    And i disagree with your blood money comment, i dont see it that way, money is just that, money, it has no emotion, its just betting, no emotion envolved, just calculated risks. The emotion is in match itself, not the betting part. And offcourse i cheer for hrvatksa always no matter what, whether or not i placed a bet on or against them.

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  • @Denis – Great analysis, my only concern is about your concerns. The team played great as a whole. Everyone worked together, but I don’t think there is any room for worrying about what happens when the other players return. This was a great lineup, but there is no reason to play it every game. There is always room for a tweak here and there so it’s good to have more options return to us on Tuesday and I’m sure you agree (except for Lovren. He shouldn’t even be on the bench. I’d put Vida back there over him any day)

    Ha, just wondering if everyone saw this. Gotta hand it to him though. The man knows how to celebrate. Let’s hope he’s got some left in him for after Tuesday.

    http://www.seebiz.eu/zdravko-mamic-pijan-izvodio-striptiz-i-valjao-se-po-stolovima/ar-17741/

    Reply

  • @Allen,

    I think you misunderstood me a little. You make a good point about the Germany win in ’08. However, that Euro 2008 team was without the services of pre-injury Eduardo. Our Euro 2008 qualifying campaign was the best qualifying campaign we have ever had. Beating and outplaying England twice, two hard fought draws against Euro 2008 semifinalist Russia.

    Also, anytime you beat a team of Lampard-Rooney-Terry-Cole, twice, that is huge. Also, to play the way we played at Wembley?

    Croatia were not the same team without Eduardo at Euro 2008. That lucky Ivica Olic tap in goal off the post for the winner just rubs me the wrong way about that game. Yes, Kranjcar had a few chances on goal as well. However, this game ends 1-1 and no one cares.

    You make a good point with the germany game. However, as a team, I still like Eduardo on our side in the qualifiers of 08. Eduardo made everyone so much better. Like Ivica Olic did yesterday.

    As far as Corluka, he was already on a yellow card. I wouldnt give a straight red for the challenge, but I believe that Carli could have avoided sliding that foot over his face. Not saying he did it intentionally, just saying that with a little bad luck, Carli hits the shower early.

    @Ante,

    I disagree. For the most part, no one is crowning Croatia a top tier team. We’ve learned form the Turkish disaster of 2008. Also, I agree with Allen that Mandzo can dribble pretty well. He just doesnt have a shot.

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  • Damn what’s going on today are you guys hungover? Manzo can’t dribble?? Are you serious what have you been watching. We know he can’t shoot but Manzo has some serious dribbling skills. He showed some today, but he can seriously put on some moves just ask Richard Dunne back in that friendly. I know you love Perisic but Rakitic put on a terrific performance yesterday. He should be starting for now on until he struggles. Perisic should stay as super sub. Ivan was very influential in the midfield and he hustled back defensively. Terrific player Ivan is, so long Niko!!!

    Turkey didn’t have Sahin but your right Ante. The thing is I don’t think fans on here are over hyping this win. Are we happy of course just like everyone is. But where have you seen on the board saying “WE ARE BACK BABY, WE ARE DARK HORSES TO WIN EURO 2012”. I sure haven’t seen it so no need to be more harsh. Your a bit out of touch here pal, I know you drink heavily maybe tone it down a bit fella. Croatians know this team isn’t a title contender and were just enjoying the ride. Were not overrating Croatia and I’m very pleased with that.

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  • One very important thing that we learned yesterday:

    Mandzukic is an incredible asset up top for Croatia just as he is for Wolfsburg. He is the Croatian Peter Crouch. Cannot dribble or shoot the ball, but feed in crosses to him in the air and watch the ball go into the net. Keep him up and let Olic run around, doing his thing, with Modric, Perisic, Srna in the midfield and we’re good to go.

    However, and I do mean however, was that Turkey performance that promising?

    Yes, we shocked them with an early goal but they did not manage one quality chance on goal, they were flopping in the box and completely gave up early in the 2nd half after the third Cro goal. They played exactly like Croatia has been playing: all possession and no quality chances.

    They could have sacked up in the second half and managed a goal or two to at least to show fight and momentum, but they didnt.

    Have we given Turkey too much credit after that Euro 2008 debacle? They were on an unbelievable luck streak with Czech’s Petr Cech dropping the ball in the rain, the late goal against us and then a strong performance vs. Germany. But they failed to qualify for the WC after being in Spain and Bosnia’s group and lost to Azerbaijan this campaign.

    We know that Croatia had identity issues issues….but are we now looking at the ‘real’ Turkey?

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  • Great analysis Denis just a few things I don’t agree with. Once again and I’m really getting annoyed by Croatians forgetting this. NOTHING AND I MEAN NOTHING has topped the performance of 2008 against Germany. That game was played with such beauty and force that will be tough to top. England had a bunch of 2nd stringers in, Germany had their best in. Croatia beating them was the greatest victory i’ve ever seen (missed the 98 days I was only 4). That last sentence really ticks me off, because you know me I’m very passionate and can be a hot head. Don’t forget about Germany game, it will be a long time before an upset like that happens again.

    Don’t like the Corluka call at all. How the hell can that be justified? It was incidental, how should he be sent off. I don’t know what were you watching but he couldn’t avoid that. Very shocking to hear you say that.

    Other than that, all your analysis was spot on.

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  • What a game yesterday!

    I would have never imagined a 3-0 Croatia win yesterday. Looking at the pregame formation, I wasn’t sure on Olic and Mandzukic working together up top. However, I did like the rest of the lineup. Before the game I would have been content with a 2-1 loss.

    Some positives from yesterday’s game:

    1) Return of Ivica Olic! He showed everyone that he still has it. Hopefully, Olic makes a Bayern exit this winter. Ivica should be the captain of this team as he leads by example. It just looked as if he brought life to this team that was previously on life-support. Besides Schildenfeld, Ivica was the only new piece inserted into the lineup by Slaven Bilic. I would have started Mandzo and Eduardo up top, thinking that Olic still wasnt fit after a long layoff because of injury. I have been calling Olic’ name the past month or so. Ever since he went out, the team has struggled.

    2) Dario Srna found his deadly cross. Dario crossed in multiple “David Beckham” like balls from the right side. Also, Dario had plenty of time to catch his breathe as he didnt have to run back to defense since he was playing RM instead of RB.

    3) Bilic finally used Mandzukic up top where he is most effective. Mario has scored 90% of his goals at Wolfsburg within 10 feet of the goal.

    4) We didnt relly on Luka Modric. Usually, we throw the ball in to Luka and sit around hoping that he’d provide some magic. Something the Lakers would do with Kobe Bryant.

    5) Movement without the ball. Everyone “followed” Ivica Olic and brought the same intesity. For the first time in a long time, we played as a unit. I can honestly say now that Niko Kranjcar and Eduardo slow the team down.

    6)Bilic benching Vukojevic? This came out of nowhere. Dujmo played well despite some of his not so accurate passing. We will definately miss him on Tuesday. Expecting to see Vuki get the start.

    My concerns:

    1) What will happen when Kranjcar, Strinic and Lovren return? Corluka said he likes playing that LB position. Schifo and Simunic played well together at CB. I would still rather go with them at CB over Lovren. I would only bring back Strinic if Corluka moves to the right for Vida. Domagoj is not ready yet. He needs time. Kranjcar should be demoted to the bench, and only brought on in the second half if we need a spark off the bench.

    2) What about Eduardo?

    3) Overconfidence going into Tuesday’s game.

    4) Who will replace Corluka and Dujmovic? Vuki and Pranjic?

    What are your thoughts on Slaven Bilic now? haha

    I still think he’s a decent coach. We had a lot of luck on our side yesterday.

    1) Olic stunned Turkey with that early goal. Forced Turkey to change their strategy on the fly and open up like an oyster.

    2) Mandzukic doubled the score on only our second shot on goal. Even Bilic admitted “postigli smo pogotke u pravim trenucima”

    3) The crowd booed Turkey for 80 minutes. Frustrating and depressing the Turkish players. They suffered as a result.

    4) Corluka should have had a second yellow card with that face stomp. Anything could happen after playing the final 20 minutes down a man.

    I dont want to be a Debbie downer as we are on top of the world for the next 48 hours. All the credit to ALL 11 on the pitch on Friday, as well as Slaven Bilic. Give him credit for benching Eduardo and Vukojevic. Give him credit for pushing Srna up to midfield instead of having him run up and down the left flank from the LB position. Luck was on our side, but our boys showed up to play yesterday. Croatia hasn’t put on a performance like this since we beat England.

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  • @Ivica

    They did it for Eduardo at Arsenal, so yes. The angle is shitty, but right before the dive it looks like Olic may have clipped his foot. Either way, what a fucking dive.

    @Wallace

    Boston is right. Ivica finds a way to be at the right place in the right time. He really didn’t do much of the work on that play, but he’s a great forward because he knows where to play himself. More credit there for Carli on the pass, and Mandukic getting in there to block the view of the Turkish keeper.

    @Nepoznat

    I wish you can take what Schilde did yesterday, and put that into Lovren. Schilde looked a bit shaky to start, but he played quite solid. On the other hand, thanks to our offense, his job was A LOT easier. When you score the first goal, everything changes. But yah, that dead horse may be coming to life if he keeps putting up performances like that.

    Finally, remember when we though Corluka was not going to be able to play Friday. Well whatever was hurting him, thank god it went away.

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  • @Shinobi
    Don’t like your betting style dude!
    Thats like betting against one of your children man!
    Money earned off of us losing is blood money.
    It’s sort of like all those celebrities that were paid by Gaddafi for appearances at various things. A lot of them gave back they’re earnings out of embarassment…
    i wasn’t that confident either so I bet $50 on a tie, but i also posted earlier a prediction for a 3-1 win.
    You’ll never here me predict a loss.
    i’d rather just have no comment…

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  • Everyone is acting like we have already qualified. I realise we won 3-0 and SHOULD qualify but anything can happen in Zagreb, especially with bilic at the helm. So just chill, it’s only halftime.

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  • Just one more thing, I laugh at people who don’t know soccer who mock soccer; you see it’s very rare you get anything cheaply in soccer (see Altintop’s acting job). You don’t get ticky tack (reserved for “stars”) foul calls and go to the foul line a million times; you don’t get ticky tack 50 yard pass interference calls. Etc. And typically, when there is a “questionable” penalty shot given, it’s typically given after a buildup of dominating play.

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  • BostonCro: “Typical Olic goal?

    You mean by hard work, proper placement, etc. Take a look at the replay and see how he manages to position himself for the tap in.”
    ————————————————————————
    EXACTLY.

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  • Ziva Istina’s prediction: “Just remember I will be here after the game to calm you guys down. Take the emotion out of it and everything will be fine.”
    —————————————————————————
    Yea that’s right, just prepare to lose, so that when you do lose it’s “not too painful”. Put your heart in a little casket to protect it from tragedy and reconcile yourself to eternal damnation.

    “Take the emotion out of it.”

    What kind of way is that to watch your national team???….”No emotion”???….LOL!!!

    “The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation.” C.S. Lewis

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  • @ Ivica….very well said. i echo jp’s compliment. with hindsight being 20/20, this route to qualification will do much more for the overall spirit and confidence of the team then if we had pulled out that nil-nil draw in greece.

    i think the team has learned lessons from the past and will not take this game lightly. they know they need a win to be in the 2nd pot for the euro 2012 draw so they will not sit back. turkey needs to push forward (like they did last night) and look what happened when they did. turkey will push with some effort but how can they defeat us by 3+ goals in zagreb when they couldn’t even get a shot on goal in turkey yesterday?

    let’s finish them off. tuesday will be a great game!!

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  • Please keep sending the east coast videos…..they offer us a good laugh.
    Guys with popped collars, half-grown peach fuss advertsing as a beard, and dudes with earings in both ears.

    LOL. I guess I fall into the beard category which I’m very proud of. No problem fella.

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  • Unbelievable result, almost unimagniable really. I never saw that coming, and is still hard to be sure it really happened.
    I will admit i got this match prediction wrong, im quite happy to be wrong, but my wallet doesnt feel the same, because i did put a substantial amount of dollars on a turkey win. Ive never been so overjoyed to lose money. Thats the way i make my bets and live my life, i try to set myself up for Win/Win situations, croatia lose/ i win cash, croatia win/ im happy anyway.
    I know the job is only half done, and you can never count turkey out. That joy i was feeling after that klasnic goal in 08, was just as swiftly taken away. And if thats taught me anying its not to get too exicited until the final whistle blows. Corluka and dujmovic are unfortunate outs, and will be missed after such strong performances. Hopefully vukojevic and pranjic step up and do whats asked of them.
    Its been a very long time that i felt pride in this team, but who can blame me after what they have been serving up the last 3 years. Hopefully that pride can continue through the week and the team doesnt implode, because losing it now with a 3 goal advantage would be almost, or just as painful as the 08 quarter final exit.
    This game restored a little pride back. And here is an article that reminded me of the pride the golden generation used to bestow on all croatians.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/nov/10/croatia-euro-2012-play-offs

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  • Here, Here @IvicA
    I love Kranjcar too but your right about styles conflicting.
    It happened with talents as great as Prosinecki, and Boban.
    Nothing wrong with having Niko come off the bench. Especially considering he gets way less playing time at club level than Perisic or Rakitic, and we all know Luka will always start.

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  • Please keep sending the east coast videos…..they offer us a good laugh.

    Guys with popped collars, half-grown peach fuss advertsing as a beard, and dudes with earings in both ears.

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  • Speaking for the Croatian contingent, 30 strong in San Jose CA, what a game! Well deserved, and never expected….I have faith in our players when it comes to difficult games….the easy ones we blow….

    Za Dom!!!!!

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  • That Greece loss was a blessing in disguise. The injuries to Kranjcar and Lovren were too.

    There was nothing that could’ve restored confidence more than a revenge blowout of the Turks (well…maybe a revenge blowout against England). Had we managed a 0:0 draw back in Athens, we would’ve qualified for the Euros directly, but we would have still had those same serious doubts about our ability to play in big games against stiff competition. Scoring three goals in Istanbul in a do-or-die game against a Hiddink-led squad definitely helps dispell that notion.

    I like Kranjcar a lot, and I definitely see Lovren as a key long term piece….but the two of them cannot start in our lineup that way it is right now. Unless Kranjcar plays as the second striker, there are just too many better options on the Left side of midfield for us in Rakitic and even Perisic. Kranjcar is excellent, but is not complimentary to a midfield that already contains two players at least as creative as he is, in Modric and Rakitic.

    Lovren is Igor Tudor redux. Solid pace, strength, height, great in the air, and can even score the occasional goal…but is still very error-prone for both club and country. I hope he improves in this area, but for now, I’d rather opt for a more stable and consistent defender in Vida as a starter in the back four until Lovren can show us some more consistency.

    There are always injuries and games missed due to yellow/red cards. Guys like Kranjcar and Lovren will still find their way into the starting lineup from time to time.

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  • @ Golden Child

    Could UEFA really review that Altintop dive and give him a fine for it?

    I’m still fuming over that spineless move.

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  • what a game great to see a big win finally! To bad corluka and dujmo cant play the next game! Who would of thought the defense would play well like that, yes turkey played pretty shitty but the defense did well, corluka man of the match with simunic

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  • Turkey will be missing Arda Turan for the match! We will miss Corluka and Dujmovic, but I am glad to see they will miss their best player. Vukojevic can slot in easily for Dujmovic and we can place either Pranjic or Pamic at LB for one game.

    We have our foot on their throats, time to just add a bit more force and finish the job. A win is essential, we have to maintain a respectable coefficient.

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  • Watch Turkey score three goals on us in Zagreb…
    Then we score on them in the last minute of extra time, only to have them score another fluke goal on us in injury time!

    Nah just kidding. Turkey won`t win.

    Croatia has only lost once in Zagreb in a competitive match….EVER. Plus, it doesn`t help that Turkey only won ONCE out of five games on the road during their qualifying campaign.

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  • @ super…..forget it…..checked out the twitter updates with that yellow card info. ah well…..we can still win this on tuesday with some fresh new faces.

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  • been reading on the net and it looks like we need to win on tuesday to assure ourselves placement in pot 2 for the finals draw (am i right in thinking that???). then, i think we could be on our way to meet ivica’s prediction for the group draw!

    i know its not officially over yet but gus hiddink was quoted as saying “its almost impossible” for the turks to qualify so if he can say that, i can look ahead!!

    let’s hope for another win on tuesday! then let the debates and scenarios begin about the finals in june.

    @ super…..where do you have confirmation of that from? corluka was a beast today….it’d be a shame not to have him tuesday

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  • Looks like the prediction of IvicA is coming to fruition.

    You can all start worshipping me now.

    …………………………………………………………………………………

    “IvicA says:

    I am calling in here and now first:

    1. Croatia eliminates Turkey in wonderful fashion

    2. Croatia draws Ukraine, Greece, and France in Group B

    3. Croatia beats Ukraine, Greece, and France and tops Group B

    4. Croatia routs and eliminates England in the quarterfinals

    5. Croatia loses to the Pollocks in the semifinals via penalty shootout

    November 4, 2011 at 4:10 pm”

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  • Looks like corluka and dujmovic are out for the return match in zagreb cuz of accumulated yellow cards. I wonder who will replace them now.

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  • maybe a little shuffle in the lineup is all we needed? like they say change is good and it sure was for the boys in bkue tonight

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  • PS: I have been talking about Domagoj Vida since he was 15 and there was a rumor in the air that Liverpool wanted him, just sayin’. (: )

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  • fabulous game! olic’s goal (and our ability to not concede in the first 20 mins or so after all those sloppy giveaways) pushed up our confidence. this could have been very different if turkey equalized in that opening stretch. glad the d held up!

    i hope all those who slog bilic give him some credit. he hasn’t always been everyone’s favourite guy on these boards but he made some good moves today. he had a hunch about olic and it paid off. from there, our boys were on their way. i’m happy that now (after they finish things off tuesday) they can put the bad memories of euro 2008 behind them. bilic (after that turkish loss) said the memory of the loss would haunt him for the rest of his life. now, i hope he and the guys can erase that with the joy of this!!!

    so satisfying to watch the turkish team self-destruct and their goalie act like a douche (applauding to the crowd sarcastically). i agree with a previous post….he was man of the match….haha

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  • I didn’t have the luck of enjoying this match with you guys, as much as I would have, had to watch it on just about THE worst stream possible, but I made it through the 90 minutes, I am so happy with the result, after the first goal it looked like Turkey would take over, but our boys stayed cool and waited for Turkey to make mistakes, and they started playing much better, could have been a red or two.
    Cheers from Buenos Aires!

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  • I’m so proud of our guys. I didn’t see it coming, team NY CSR showed up. Ivica, Rob, JM was there!!!! First time met him, classy guy. Very fun meeting him. Everyone played their part today. Srna for all the crap he gets was terrific. Two assists and was very dynamic. After 3 years, Manzo showed he belonged. He worked his tail off and deserved the goal. What makes me so proud of the team was they kept a clean sheet and Modric didn’t make the biggest impact. It was a team victory and it was so beautiful. Hope those turks suffer and cry, will be in Euro 2012 baby!!!!

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  • Croatia needs to score first, as I stated a while back. Usually when we concede we crumble. Olic scores and the fire begins, great game I myself didn’t expect a 3-0 game and the Kalinic feeling was way off. I don’t see us pulling this one off at home as I believe the Turks believed they would prevail.

    Any thoughts on the other games? The kranjcar being sacked at Montenegro seems to have bit them in the ass.

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  • my ratings
    Pletikosa (x) nothing to do.
    VIda 7- nice
    Sifo-7.5 great game
    Joe-7.5
    Carli- 9 SUPER SHOULD ALWAY PLAY LEFT BACK
    Srna 8.5 finnaly a captains performance
    Dujmo-7.5 People call me dumb but better that ogi for sure
    Modric- 6.5 not a great performance
    Raketa-7.5 nice pasing vision
    Ola 9.5 great super ola
    Mandza-8.5 great work rate love him or hate him he play with Heart
    Subs little time to give ratings
    Slavene 10 taoday cuz it all clicked.
    Please the croatian press will all be 50-50 some say great some will say turkey were hit thats why we won. IDEMO 15.11.11 finih the job!!!!!!!!

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  • The Turks just crumbled! The Goalie and the fans were arguing, needless silly fouls.

    I am glad I was wrong about this result, I thought we had no chance.

    I really hope this result exorcises the demons and we can get the National Team back on track.

    Simunic rolled back the years and looked commanding back there, Corluka looked very good on the wrong wing. Olic, loyal servant to Croatian football and a tireless worker! Dujmovic was solid in the middle.

    Lay off Ziva Istina, his comments were fully justified.

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  • to the guys who care about my predicition…………..as I said yesterday and this morning, i did not post one because i did not have one. I had no gut feeling about this game based on comments i heard from my friends on the ground within the savez and team.. I had no clue what expect.

    As for this game…..I wouldn’t say this is a lineup we should stick to religiously. it’s a lineup that worked today. You always have to make moves and adjustments. Turkey looked like us during the qualifying cycle in the first half. All the possesion in the world but no scoring chances.

    This match changed dramatically because of Olic’s goal in the 2nd minute. Turkey had to attack and we sat back and withstood the pressure. Now, would this lineup have worked if we conceded an early goal. I’m not so sure. Now, is Bilic some genious and is Hiddick some idiot???? No. But, give credit to Bilic for this. They knew what to do once we got the lead. They did a good job in practice knowing how to play if we got an early lead. I’ve never seen Modric drop back as much as he did today, but it worked.

    We have 90 minutes to take care of business and then we can celebrate, but in the meantime we can all grab a few beers and begin a bit early.

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  • Wow, great result. I hope that the boys stay focused for their remaining work. This should be easy to do considering our history with them.

    I’m Bilic’s critic, but I give him full marks today. I like that lineup a lot. He needs to stick with it religiously now. Schildy, Vida, Raki, and Dujmo make a huge difference. We are now big and strong at the back and up top too, allowing us to get the headers and set pieces that we never get.

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  • Also have to say for a guy that balled his head of that last turkey match IM really happy Corluka scored a nice header of that set piece….

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  • Bilic saved his job….It just goes to show how much Rakitic and Olic mean to the team…..Now is Bilic the greatest national team coach in Croatian history? Comments

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  • @Ziva Istina

    “yeah, the blind homers who think Cro can win every game 3-0 see it that way every time. They are the same ones who said we would beat Greece 3-0 on the road as well.”

    Where was your prediction that you were supposed to show everyone? 🙂

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  • they should of beaten greece…just cause they didnt you think they will lose to turkey away ?? Looks like your the blind homer

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  • yeah, the blind homers who think Cro can win every game 3-0 see it that way every time. They are the same ones who said we would beat Greece 3-0 on the road as well.

    Either way, great result.

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  • YESSSSSS!!!!!!! 90 MINS AWAY, AND WE’RE ON OUR TURF!!! A LOT OF BOYS BECAME MEN TODAY (Gordo, Domagoj, Mario, Djumo) And how about Charlie?! I F***IN’ LOVE THAT GUY!

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  • Wow….nobody saw that coming.

    The early goal dictated the match. We sat back and Turkey had to attack and that opened it up for us.

    Let’s give credit to some of the question marks we had going in….

    Dujmovic has not played first team soccer in a while and he was outstanding. I questioned that move, but give Bilic major credit for that one.

    Olic did was Olic usually does. Scores an easy goal and misses a few chances. He is vital to this team because of his speed and ability to create space for everyone else.

    90 more minutes to take care of business

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  • that was easy…just like i said…

    almost as good as everyone that said they could only see turky winning 2-0 and 3-0 …. hhahah

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  • You intentionally and aggressively not accidently touch the face or neck of opposing player that is automatic red IMHO

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  • If the fourth official didn’t break it up it probably would’ve ending up escalating resulting in a red card, but you gotta give the ref some credit, he’s actually done a decent job

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  • This is what was missing from our qualifying…….GOALS.

    We may not look the best (from what I’ve seen) but I’ll take 3 away goals any day.

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  • Revenge is sweet? Its half time during the first leg! Relax and dont be a fool and celebrate too early. I bet you were also dreaming of the Semi finals when Klasnic scored 3 years ago, how did that go.

    Just relax, hopefully we build off this first half and keep our heads calm!

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  • So far Nizic is right with his predictions 2 huge away goals….ej Ziva whare is your expertise predictions …… AJMO -U- ZA DOM SPREMNI

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  • We gave the ball away far to easily. However, we did grow in confidence as the half went on. Time to build off that display and watch the yellow cards.

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  • @someguy

    You are right, it won’t say 1-0.

    I’m at work right now, and only catching little bits. It seems like Turkey is maintaining constant possession.

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  • It should have been a yellow but it’s harder than it seems for the ref to see that it was a dive, but at least he did well to not give a penalty

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  • Typical?

    You mean by hard work, proper placement, etc. Take a look at the replay and see how he manages to position himself for the tap in.

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