It’s true. Croatia played in the ‘Group of Death’ and we didn’t even realize it until today.
Group F at this year’s World Cup is the only group to have two teams make it to the quarterfinal stage – Croatia and Morocco. It was said before the tournament that Belgium and Croatia would progress to the knockout stages with Morocco being a pain in both nations’ sides during group play. Instead, Morocco have turned into tournament Cinderellas with their 2-0-1 recored in group play and a convincing penalty shootout win over Spain in the Round of 16.
Morocco will now play Portugal in the quarters while the Vatreni face tournament favorites: Brazil.
No one gave Morocco the love they deserved prior to the World Cup kicking off; including me. They had two star players playing at Chelsea and PSG, but that was it. However, they have played as a complete unit and their stat line shows this as clear as day. Morocco have yet to allow a goal by their opposition this World Cup. In four matches, they have three clean sheets (against Croatia, Belgium, Spain) with an asterisk goal given to Canada. In Morocco’s 2-1 victory over Canada, Canada’s goal came via an Aguerd own goal. So like I said previously, Morocco has yet to concede a goal to their opposition. That may very well change on Saturday vs. Portugal.
Croatian fans were irate after the 0-0 draw against Morocco to open up their World Cup campaign, however, upon further review, Morocco is a legit team and that 0-0 draw only looks better and better as Morocco progresses in the tournament and tallies up more and more clean sheets.
If you’re Morocco, you have to be ECSTATIC that you were able to hold Croatia, Belgium, and Spain scoreless at the World Cup. But looking at it from a Croatia point of view, Morocco making it to the quarters should be a tiny confidence boost heading into the Brazil clash.
Of course British press like The Guardian has as us the weakest team left, worse than Morocco apparently:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/07/world-cup-2022-power-rankings-how-the-remaining-eight-teams-shape-up-qatar
Over here in Canada, they are giving 8.5 to 1 odds of Croatia winning at full time. I had a vision that we will win 1-0. I put $100 on Hrvatska because we are going to eff Brazil. It’s as simple as that.
Couldn’t agree more. They are absolutely time deaf. Read a few little things and try to pass as experts. There seems to be an across the board disrespect for us by all of these budalas.
It’s definitely bitterness for the beat down on Canada.
A friend of mine does a radio spot on the World Cup every few days and he was picking my brain prior to his bit about the Croatia bs Canada game.
I told him the comments by peewee Herdman will light a fire and expect us to pour it on if we get ahead. Never disrespect us or you pay the price by being on the losing end.
They’re doing the same in America too though.
I think a lot of it is that Croatia already made a recent run, so now they’re more focused on rooting for the new underdog (Morocco).
The Canadian bitterness I’m sure is the reason why the Canadians are underrating Croatia (and because Canadians seem to be very supportive of Borjan and his pro-ethnic cleansing views going back to the 90s).
But either way, there is just a tremendous lack of insight with these analysts.
The talk just begins and ends with Croatia’s “aging” lineup.
Brazil is the 4th oldest team in this tournament. Argentina is 3rd oldest. Both Korea and Japan were 8th and 9th.
Croatia is 11th overall.
Yes, Modric is old, but he’s more than capable of playing 90 minutes. Not sure how many times he needs to prove it.
The only other players (that are over 30) are Perisic, Lovren and Krama and they’ve been fine both for club and country. Lovren and Krama are roles players too, not like they are major factors for us. We actually have better options on the bench.
Nobody wants to make mention that Brazil hasn’t yet played a team with a decent midfield (let alone the best one in the tournament).
Nobody wants to mention that (despite their awesome offense) that Brazil still somehow struggles to score at times during this World Cup.
Brazil is the favorite, for sure, but I think a lot of people assume that because “Croatia” sounds like “Korea” that we’ll somehow play like them.
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6864205/croatia-kovacic-injury-world-cup-brazil/amp/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fifa-world-cup-referees-qatar-28580448
This is our referee for Friday.
Finally reading something that makes sense. The soccer analysts for TSN either lost to Croatia in the past (both are former soccer players) or just know nothing about soccer.
They are across-the-board terrible.
Ricketts going ape shit the other day cuz OMG!!!!! Pepe played at the 2008 Euros and is a starter in 2022!!! Incredible!!!!!! Meantime Luka played at 2006 World Cup and plays a much more demanding position. They all try to sell the idea that they know everything about every team. Off-putting. Then one of them on Sportsnet, after the PKs, carrying on about how great Livakovic is and he should be on a much bigger team ——– talking like he actually watches him play. Nauseating, all of it.
I’m disappointed that there’s so little content being produced by Croatiansports.
I’m like a single dad with four kids working three jobs to put food on the table for my CroatianSports family. More on the way soon….
If you’d like to write a piece, the door is more than open for you my friend.
Does anyone know why they pulled Ante Budimir so fast, the other day. Was he that bad? Was it because he missed that nice header? Was that the last time we will see him do you think? It seemed like he could actually run a bit.
The rest of the crew seem to have the Christian Ronaldo typical striker modus of operandi, ” We score goals, preserve our energy for the right moment only, and no offensive defense. We got spoiled with Mandzukic/Olic “Do whatever it takes” mode.
Guys, we’ve won 3 penalty shootouts in a row since WC2018….. does anyone happen to know what the longest shootout winning streak for a national team is?
Not sure, but I’ll guess it might be Italy with Buffon. I can’t recall them losing one in quite a while.
Italy lost at Euro2016 to PKs.
We probably have the longest active World Cup streak.
Oh ok.
Thanks Z and Maminjo. I reckon we have it in us to keep the streak alive (meaning 4 in a row) if we have to settle it via spot kicks again in Qatar. Livakovic should be feeling very confident about stopping penalties at the moment.
We need everything to go right on Friday. Our players need to be top notch plus a little of that football luck to be on our side. Lets win the next three games then we can lose 10 after if we need to just these 3 now 🙏
Fun facts:
– Brazil has only scored one more goal than Croatia in this World Cup (6 goals vs 5 goals).
– Brazil has shot the ball 59 times (with 6 total goals scored)
– Croatia has shot the ball 37 times (with 5 goals scored)
– Brazil has roughly put up 15-20 shots in each game…except against Switzerland (the only team they faced with a capable lineup of defensive oriented players) where they managed only 6 shots
LOL….4 of Croatia’s goals were in one game vs Canada.
We’re a defensive team. Brazil is pure offense.
We scored in 2 of our 4 games.
Brazil scored in 3 out of their 4 games.
And 4 of Brazil’s were in one game v Korea, so?
I think our priority had to be staying in the game in the first half. I’ve seen games where the less strong team falls behind by two goals in the first half and then it’s almost impossible, basically game over. I also think we need to be careful on the counterattacks because they’re very quick and we should not get carried away with our wing backs moving forward and exposing our defense. I don’t like the fact that Dalic is being so unctuous towards them, that they are scary, and that their second team could win the World Cup. That’s just as bad as Kramaric favoring them to win.
Finally, although maybe this is controversial, I see no point in playing a striker. I’d rather add another midfielder who can score like Majer. Our strikers are not good enough and who says that we have to play one? Petkovic and Livaja don’t deserve to play.
Well, yeah, the Brazil v Korea game was over after 15 minutes, we can’t allow that of course.
“I don’t like the fact that Dalic is being so unctuous towards them, that they are scary, and that their second team could win the World Cup.”
Perfect, reverse psychology
No ammo nor additional motivation to Brazil
I concur; pure reverse psychology that he is using. Nice to note that the Brazil “second team” lost to Cameroon and I am sure Dalic is aware of that.
https://sempreinter.com/2022/12/07/inter-midfielder-marcelo-brozovic-breaks-own-record-for-distance-covered-in-a-world-cup-match-in-croatias-win-over-japan-italian-media-highlight/
LEGS + LUNGS = Brozovic
There was this article on Facebook about all these Indian dudes just trashing our chances
This one Croat goes with our normal argument there is only 4 mill of us
And they are like that doesn’t mean anything
If we had a population of say 10 mill
I think it’s fair to say we would have 5-6 super stars and a generational talent at all times
Gvardiol yes still young but he may possibly go down as top 10 defender ever if he keeps going
Have some respect
We are quality over quantity
Dannyj,
They are just jealous as their population is in the billions and they cannot come up with a team. I am not saying every individual has the same outlook, like this, but those who diminish our success the way they do, it exudes jealousy. So my response is, I really don’t care what those people think. In almost every sport Croatia makes an impact, Olympics, soccer, tennis…even basketball, in our heyday.
People can deny this all they want to at this stage I really don’t care anymore because at the end of the day it means nothing in relation to our, I will say it, GOD GIVEN TALENT!
I honestly hope that our team comes out playing their game, if they do they can beat Brazil but only on their own terms and with the right strategy. In many ways, this would make me happy if they manage to beat Brazil, not so that I can shove it in everyone else’s face but so that I can carry that away with me knowing that our players can be, and are that good. It’s just the self belief and faith that they sometimes need and need to display.
All these opinions against Petko or Livaja, Krama (myself included as I am guilty of this as well) mean nothing. We had these same views about Livakovic and look at what he did in the game against Japan, despite the quality of shots. You cannot argue against the fact that he dealt with pressure well there because it would have been easy to blow it given the circumstances and the stage. I will say of all the players he has impressed me the most.
We had this same perspective about Krama and he came out swinging in that game against Canada, despite not being the most difficult team again it’s still pressure.
This is the big leagues and our players and team, as well as other players and teams, are bound to struggle a little bit in certain scenarios and with certain events unfolding the way they do.
Again if they manage to play there game against Brazil, and stay the course I think they can win.
As one person here mentioned, I believe, something does need to be said here for Dalic’s comments about Brazil. He is far too giving in his statements about the Brazilian team. Despite how good they may seem, you need to be a little less favourable to the other team. Yes Brazil is exceptional, but more should be said about how our team is equally exceptional when they set their mind to it. Who knows, maybe Dalic is playing on Brazil’s arrogance because we know that they have that in abundance as well and how it can work against them as well ( hence the final with Germany). I am hoping that Brazil comes out and underestimates our team because it could help favouring us in the end.
Mate1, here’s the deal with Brazil They are a great team . They are fast and have everything it takes to win. They are clearly the better team. They look at us and see our team and say these guy are good not a bad team . They don’t have the legs and the younger guys got skills but are not ready yet . they don’t have the quality . Brazil plan is to go all out and attack . They know Dom has not been tested , and plan on taking him to task. They figure if they score we will breakdown and fall apart and play into their hands. Brazil will underestimate us . But Mate do we have what it takes to make them regret it ? Remember one thing those Italian teams that won the world cup in 82 and 2006 ? there was nothing special about them or their roster . We can win. If we do things right , and a little luck won’t hurt
Those Indians don’t know anything . A population of 4 million to go to the quarter finals ,the finals, the semi finals is achievement. Tell them to stick to cricket and take a bath . How many people live in India? What have they achieved ? Let me say this to you ! If us Croatians stuck together ,and we’re not so corrupt and had a proper management and coaching and Did not fight amongst ourselves we would off accomplished a-lot and perhaps won at least one World Cup and maybe two Euros . Look at Uruguay 3.4 million people. Look at what they accomplished in football and their history .Make no mistake. Brazil is the better team but they respect us. Croatians as footballers are respected . We may not be feared but we have respect in the community as footballers. The best generation was 2008 for us. We fell short because of ourselves . Infighting politics bad management . We always had good players . It just that we failed to properly develop them . Our Federation is corrupt and could not lead high school soccer team to a title . If I had the right connections my nephew who coaches soccer for free part time could be the coach of the Croatian team. Thats what plagues us. I don’t trust our coach to make the right decisions or the ref. I am all in favor to give this young bucks on the team a shot to play. Speed and conditioning will win the game. Not bunch of older guys whose time has passed. I respect them and what they did . But they won’t be able to go the distance . It’s the young bucks that will win. Brazil I notice is extremely cocky. Arrogance gets you every time. We hold them and go the distance with them and put one ball in that good be enough to beat them .
Ya If majer sucic and kova can fill the midfield role with broz we should be just fine
If the king stays on as like a super sub would be good too
Croatia’s best hope is something that Maminjo alludes to. Brazil is clearly better talent wise and much much much faster.
But what you hope for is a too many stars effect, particularly where you have the forward players in neymar, vicinius junior, richarlison, and raphinha all feeling really good about themselves and constantly wanting to score goals and get the glory and push forward, but not want to do the dirty work and run back and defend, leaving lots of spaces in the midfield for Croatia to exploit if they can hold off the attack
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have suffered from this effect in various seasons.
With nothing to dance about against Korea (particularly given a gift from the referee) Brazilian players serm to think nobody stands s chance against them.
Not a stetch to think that Brazil goes in overly confident, and coupled with underestimating Croatia as most people do.
Could everyone on Brazil’s team be thinking: anyone can do it and someone will, but nobody does the hard work to advance?
Along with underestimating the skill and depth of Croatia, most people will never understand, and will always underestimate the Srce Hrvatsko.
I don’t think we have played our best game yet.
It’s now or never at this tournament- Ajmo!
The new rule that now allows for 5 substitutes will probably hurt very small countries like Croatia, which might not have as deep of talent on their bench moving forward, if it becomes a permanent rule. One more challenge, if this rule stays in place.
i don’t know about that? I’d say Croatia is far deeper in the last 30 years from 1998 , we’re getting a far deeper bench. Vlasic, Pusalic and Livaja took shots and their usually coming off the bench- it just shows we have more depth- it’s not perfect but it’s far deeper.
For the game vs Brazil, 5 subs is beneficial to us.
How many of our players can go full out and still remain more effective than a player on the bench for 90 – 120 minutes
If Stanišic starts He is questionable coming back from injury?
Sosa questionable possibly coming back from virus?
Lovren, Modrič and Perišić not as young / energetic / as able to recover as quickly as in 2018?
Brozović coming off a record setting game of running a couple days ago?
Livaja not running very much it seems normally, and possibly doing so may fade out relatively quickly?
You could probably add to the list, but I think 5 subs is certainly necessary.
Not sure what Dalić will attempt, but I believe we can do it with propper strategy, eveyone giving 100 %, and a bit of luck (if nothing more, at least the refs not helping Brazil with a shitty call against us).
Anyone else find it funny how both starting and back up wing Backs share the same first name?
Of course even with luka aging and even staying on it will weaken us in a sense
But I feel euro cup can be even better for us once the youth integrates strongly
If the new Luka is even half as good as the old Luka we should be okay
Totally forgot about him
I’m super excited to see what musa can do
I feel he will be a massive piece up front
Like Ziva said yesterday we are missing a Dani olmo on that right side
That would be a massive upgrade up front
If livakovic can stay solid for us for the next two tourneys or if grbic could make the next step
I know there a couple young guys showing promise at keeper too from what you guys have said
We need 8 out of 10 or better from Gvardi, Dominick , all 3 mid fielders and whoever plays striker – would it be something if Juranovic gives us an 8 – it would be big and very helpful –
Let’s give credit where credit is due LA KNAT AKA lovren sucks was calling on his Moroccan mujahedeen warriors to advance and cause some damage.
Not even truth saw this coming?
Stanisic and Sosa looking good to go according to Sportske Novosti
Hoping for a back line of
Sosa Gvardiol Lovren Stanisic
https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/sp2022/vatreni-prvotimac-se-dobro-oporavlja-mogao-bi-se-vratiti-bas-u-utakmici-godine-protiv-brazila-15283689
Still not 100% better, I wonder how his fitness is at this time after the virus. Wonder if Dalic will play him. I really hope he is able to play!
I think Sosa practiced today, per his Instagram… that’s gotta mean he’s at least very close
Just saw that, awesome news!
The reason why musa is backup to ramos at benfica is because he is a greater and better than cr7 based on current form. A waste to see musa not called. His idol is mandzukic
My sources are telling me Sosa is improving and should be available to play on Friday. It remains a question of if Dalic trusts his conditioning and starts him
they will pump Sosa with so much Vitamin C and D he’ll be orange- he’s playing
Stop playing the roll. You don’t know anyone.
I was reading alot of lineups by croatian media one lineup was
Livakovic Stanisic Lovren Gvardiol Sosa/Barisic Jakic Broz Modric Juranovic Perisic Orsic!?
It was one if the hardest groups in retrospect, though having Canada in the group lowers the prospect of it being the group of death.
Before the tournament I suspected group E was the group of death, only because having two juggernaut football nations in Spain and Germany respectively in the same group was going to be death for other nations that had the misfortune of being drawn in such a group.
Japan proved me wrong.
On reassessment of the standings and results, probably group H was the real group of death in the end. Since every nation involved in that had the potential to progress to the next phase, and all involved in that group are considered to be quality teams in their respective continental confederations. There were no weak links.
Group G should also be considered one of the more difficult and tricky groups to progress from.
https://www.vecernji.hr/sport/ovo-je-dalicev-sastav-za-brazil-najveca-je-dvojba-spica-dalic-nema-raspolozenog-strijelca-1639739
according to this article Borna Sosa is still fighting this virus and not yet recovered fully
Hopefully Stanišić is ready.
Kovacic will have a massive game against Brazil.
Whenever Croatia plays a team that doesn’t bunker – Mateo will stand out.
So can someone with a little more tactical knowledge explain something to me. I have noticed that at times Modric or Kova (or both) will lead the press on the opposing goalkeeper/defenders. Seems like a lot of work for them – can someone explain why Livaja is dropping off to allow the two midfielders to lead the press. Slavonac might know.
It’s so he can finish his cigarette
don’t forget his kohano vino- with marshmellows-
It’s because teams play with defensive midfielder so the striker has to cover the passing lane from the opposition centre backs to their defensive midfielder. All teams do it
It’s nice to see Livaja walks with the same urgency during his penalty’s as he does during the rest of the game.
You all need to go to church before the game vs Brazil
It has always worked in the past. Thursday @ Saint Anthonys, Mary Star, and Mary of Assumption, is going to be busy. We need to light 12 candles, one for Dalic.
Every Croatian should be at Church on Thursday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Lady.
Not so that we win the game, but to honour God and for the good of our souls and for the good of our people!
God is a generous giver, give Him thanks and praise and let Him do the rest! (He never disappoints.)
Bog i Hrvati
Sveti Stari- di nam sretu
Sveti Dominick – budi svaman
Let’s develop a new position for Gvardiol called AB, “All-back”. Just have him follow the action and be integrally involved at both ends. He can break Brozovic’s distance travelled record. He has that aggressive killer instinct, and hustle we are missing around the opponent’s goal.
A few sports tipsters I follow say Brazil-Croatia matchup going to be much tighter than many sportsbooks and pundits are thinking.
Croatia can be hard to break down. and Brazil has struggled against european teams in knockouts.
They will be flying high from the win against Korea and think they can come in and dance around Cro. Korea played right into brazil’s hands.
Healthy respect for Brazil, but if croatia comes out and plays like we know they can. This is a tight game.
Yup.
Brazil actually presses with too many players.
They give up too much space to the opposing midfield when they do this, but they haven’t really played anyone close to the passing quality of Croatia’s mids.
Kovačić, Modrić and Brozović will all probably have a good game because of this, and I would pick Croatia winning in regulation or extra time.
My biggest worry is referee bias, and poor substitutions by Dalić.
I’m actually not worried about anything else to be honest.
Game can go either way, but we’ll exploit this weakness abd Brazil might get scared to press and then will have to defend a bit as we enjoy possession. Not sure if they’re good at that. The Brazilian counter is always scary, but Japan is the best at parking the bus and countering (and we survived that).
Friday will be a good game.
@fellowfromtheselo
Was having the exact same conversation with a friend earlier today. Here in Canada they were praising Morocco and their defensive style…it made me want to vomit. This anti-nogomet a la Greece in 2004 is gaining momentum sadly.
Even though we have been offensively anemic in this World Cup, it has more to do with style matchups. Morocco and Japan – classic bunker and counter. Belgium game was actually a good tactical battle with chances both ways. And the Canada game – well we all know what happened there.
Everyone is calling for us to get destroyed by Brazil…which could happen. But I think it will be much closer March than most ‘experts’ are thinking. I wouldn’t be surprised if we pull out another win. It’ll depend on how rested we are and tactics.
On a side note, I’ve said to my Portuguese friends for a few years now that they are much better without Ronaldo…today was a perfect example. They looked sharp and have a glut of attacking options.
Solid team all the way around.
Well, i for one WOULD be hugely surprised if we won, i’d be ecstatic cos that is SO SO unexpected. Would be one of our best. I don’t give us much chance but stranger things have happened of course. The lack of rest and the fact the teams who played Round of 16 earlier are getting more rest is frankly quite annoying tho cos we prolly need the rest more than anyone else.
@Mali Ante,
Agree completely with your sentiments about Greece and their Euros victory. I’m still hopeful that more teams will choose to play with aggressive pressing rather than ultra bunker but time will tell.
Ramos for Portugal put a massive nail in the coffin for Ronaldo’ s time with the national team. Santos made a tough decision to bench Ronaldo and Ramos proved him correct.
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2022/12/6/23496501/modric-i-was-very-tired-at-the-end-of-the-game
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/dec/05/croatia-showed-once-again-that-they-are-the-masters-of-walking-football
The guardian article above is calling Croatian style of play “Masters of Walking Football”. In the case of some of our striker’s, “Crawling”.
Morocco’s success will be a bad thing for soccer. It will lead some teams to play this ugly, ultra-bunker style, with frequent fouls to break up the opponent’s rhythm and often playing with the entire team 30 m from their own goal. I’m happy to see an underdog win, but not at any price. Especially with the skill with which Morocco can play. It seems like a waste of their talent.
Hasn’t this been going on since at least Greece 2004. Teams have been bunkering for awhile, sometimes it’s hard to break through even for great teams.
Borna Sosa vs 🇧🇷????
Croatian papers are reporting that he’s still sick, not 100% sure if he can play
DO WE HAVE A SOSA UPDATE?
Is he playing vs Brazil ????
Croatian papers are reporting that he’s still sick, not 100% sure if he can play
Group of F’ed- Canada F’ed themselves, Belgium players F’ed each other with belts, Morocco F’ed their doubters and were gonna F Brazil – the group of F’ed
Another shitty thing about less rest
Sosa…
Croatian papers are saying that Borna Sosa is still not feeling well, I just hope he recovers for Friday’s match. We really need him.
Vida is a big piece for veteran leadership and for sure he is a great motivator and cheer leader
But why couldn’t we have just given him some coach role and leave him off the squad and bring Colak or musa….
I totally agree,.. ali, voda ispod mosta. Petkovic, seems best with his back to the goal distributing back passes, but painfully slow. Maybe Perisic could play right wing and Orsic could play left, and Pasalic could be used as a striker. I noticed they had Perisic running all over the other day. I just hope Sosa can make it back for Brazil. It is a huge drop off in talent to Barisic.
I was impressed by Japan’s crosses, which seemed to drop down right in front of the goal, like they were bombing Pearl harbor. If our crosses overshoot, we need bodies on the other side to receive the crosses at the very least.
November 17th
Canada 2 Japan 1
Canada should have tied Morocco in the second half.
Missed penalty shot from giving Belgium fits.
Canada is not so bad, we just had extra motivation to spank them.
It is funny to see myself proven right over and over again after being ridiculed
I called this a group of death and glad to see two weeks into the tournament that this site agrees
Did you call it “a group of death” because Croatia’s core group were 4 years older than in Russia, and Belgium had some unfit players at this mid season world cup, so because Croatia and Belgium were not at the peak of their powers that gave Morocco and Canada hope?
Of course someone that rated Belgium and Croatia higher than you would’ve ridiculed ya, but lets not pretend that if Lukaku knocked Croatia out you wouldn’t of blamed Dalic and Lovren with most here, which would’ve suggested that Croatia would’ve went through but for Dalic and Lovren.
Truth you are the master of giving out many possible outcomes then latching on to the one that occurs,totally disregarding the others.
You are the type of guy who bets both red and black constantly at the casino and boasts of your winning streak!
I never considered this a group of death, it had Canada in it lol!
And you can only consider it a group of death now because Morocco is in the QF, but I have no doubt that if Belgium had a fit Lukaku that it would’ve been Croatia and Belgium going through, and then we wouldn’t be calling this a group of death at all.
Group E & H were were both more worthy of being called the group of death than our group.
Japan topped a group with Germany and Spain in it, and the only difference between Japan and Morocco is that one lost a penalty shootout.
Is Morocco going to pull a Greece 2004 and use their defense to make a long run? Can easily see them pulling a result out against Portugal.
I mean, only Canada could score vs Morocco so far – even Canada was a decent side
I think it’s clear that Belgium’s window has closed moreso than Canada was any good. No defense, no keeper, certainly no midfield, and their best player out of position in a feeble attempt to generate some offense. I said before the finals that a single point should be seen as a very positive outcome for them, but that is before we saw how effective Morocco could be. There’s no way Canada was ever going to get a result in this group.