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LIVE COVERAGE OF THE MATCH AVAILABLE ON CSR TWITTER
LIVE FEEDS:
ATDHENET.TV
http://www.freefootball.eu/upcoming.php
WILL BILIĆ BE HERO OR VILLAIN AFTER THE ISRAEL MATCH?
‘TEAM CSR’ WILL BE AT MONAGHAN’S PUB IN OAKVILLE,ONTARIO, CANADA FOR THE MATCH. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
CSR TALKS WITH CROATIAN UEFA DELEGATE HOURS BEFORE THE ISRAEL MATCH ON A PLANE FLIGHT FROM DUBROVNIK TO ZAGREB
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM ‘THE GOLDEN CHILD’
It is time for Croatia to show their true colors. No more gimme games against Malta and no more slip-ups versus Georgia. With only three games remaining in Euro 2012 qualifying, Croatia still control their own destiny to qualify automatically for the tournament. In their way: two home games against Israel and Latvia and the all important match versus Greece in Athens on October 7th.
Croatia defeated Israel 2-1 back in October with a double from Niko Kranjčar, who was receiving ZERO playing time from Tottenham at the time. It is reported that both Kranjčar and Luka Modrić will be healthy for the Israel match at Maksimir on Tuesday (2:00PM ET). Should Croatia fans be worried about anything less than three points Tuesday night?
With Croatia trailing the Greeks by one point, Latvia can help out the Vatreni by taking points away from Greece on Tuesday. The question is: Are Croatian fans scared of the match in Greece on October 7th because of the ‘Greek bunker defense’? What are Croatian fans’ expectations for that match? Does Croatia have enough firepower to defeat Greece in Athens?
CROATIA HIGHLIGHTS FROM ISRAEL LAST OCTOBER
Nocni klub i svi smo tuuuu
I'm as a big a fan of Eduardo as anyone, but some of you need to stop with your gross overexagerations, e.g. "he's better on one leg than any other striker we have". Dudu's first goal (which was great) was off a precise feed from Modric (the goal looked alot like the one Olic scored against Lyon off the Altintop feed). And I think TheGoldenChild may be right about Eduardo's second "goal" – it may have in fact deflected off the Israeli defender's back – I've seen the replay 6 X and still can't tell; one could make the case it was the great cross by Srna was the main cause of the goal – especially if it was an own goal.
Also, don't downgrade the 2nd half performance cuz it was 11 vs 10 AFTER Modric leveled. How many times have we seen a team with a man advantage not score any goals, let alone 2 in 2 minutes and completely dominate the rest of the way. I don't think it would have made a difference – Croatia was on a mission. Besides, it's not like hockey, whereby a man advantage is about 20X more advantageous compared to soccer (and that's taking into account the time limit of said advantage in hockey).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:UEFA_Euro_2012_qualification_(2nd_place)
Standings for the best second place team that gains automatic entry into Euro 2012 (link above). For groups with six teams in them, the results against the last place team in the group at the end of qualification do not count.
Mandzukic and Jelavic are good strikers who definitely deserve to be on the team. Mandzukic can also make good plays, whereas Jelavic is more of an offside trap and aerial (header) threat in striking. Jelavic fills that void that Olic left.
As for goalkeepers, Pletikosa is the best we've had since Ladic. Maybe even better. Even after being tricked to Tottenham's bench for 1 year, he has shown little rust in his game.
Bilic is more dynamic since the WC failure. He used to keep trying the same players and tactics and yesterday he subbed out Corluka for Eduardo…that says it all. The 2nd half changes in the Georgia game made the difference. He used to be stubborn but now he's being more clever with his moves. The squad also has much more depth than ever before.
Bobby V, great post. Another long list of reasons not to have the home games at Maksimir.
Fans need to understand that this is NOT the 1998 team and nowhere close to it and accept it. Guys like Mandzukic, Jelavic, etc, have no business being on anyone's National Team, but someone has to be picked to play upfront.
No legitimate forward, goalkeepers who are not in form, and somehow, they're in first place at this point. And still, people will say Bilic isn't getting the best out of the team. Unbelievable.
@Wallace
It's probably going to be very similar to what goal.com does for their post game.
@ Vlad
I tottaly agree with what you wrote. First half was quite poor, i could barely watch. We did not dominate the first half like the CSR article wrote. In my opinion we were lucky today. Luka steped up with a beauty and isreal got a man sent off. Only after the second half changes did we start really attacking.
At the end of the day a win is a win. We are in first place and at the moment thats all that matters. But at the same time this bye no means was a great performance. First half was pretty bad, wasent so much we went a goal down but the overall play was poor! WE took advantage of the extra man which is a good sign, but hard to judge this performance if it stays 11 on11 who knows?
Once again vuko was not good, not saying bye no means that we won because of dujmo but i think this had to be the last straw, how many chances can vuko have?
Da silva he's the best and thats it nothing to discuss, he may not be the same but dudu with one leg is better than any other striker!
Ill give bilic credit for making the subs right away but at the same time what was he thinking playing with basiclly 3 stopers and vuko, were at home in a basiclly must win game against isreal, it just seems like whenever were in a jam he makes the right moves aka georgia and against isreal today but, why not start da silva, why not play dujmo, why wait till were a goal down until to put the players in that should have already started, i dunno, but like i said were in first place so soak it up for know!
Ps. It's wonderful to see Dudu back to form too! We're a very dangerous team if he's anywhere near this kind of form.
Bravo Luka!
Modric has been obviously been practising his shooting… it's wonderful to see. I suggested a while back that he needs to do so, and obviously he's listening 🙂
Nothing like the long range strikes or attempts even, to loosen up the passing lanes and dismember a bunker.
Although I wasn't able to watch today's game, I'll give Bilic props for his subs. He seems to be clueing into the fact that change can be very effective once you see what the other side has done for an entire half. His changes likewise worked in Poljud for Georgia. Could it be that we're becoming a come from behind, second half team…?
@TheGoldenChild, Oh yea cool, I'm not complaining – I'm just offering ideas. Are you actually going to impliment the exact rating system I just suggested?
– let me add, my Grandfather was killed at the Bleiburg massacre and I must admit that the Jewish people seem to think they are the only people who have ever suffered, but, at some point, you have to show some class. After all, this is just a sporting event.
Wallace.
This rating system will be coming with the new website. The guys are out in Canada at the moment, so it's hard to sit down and talk shop. There's a lot of other stuff we'd like to do, but we do have jobs and don't get paid to do this, so it makes things a bit more difficult.
New Website:
It's coming along. I check on it everyday, and it looks pretty good so far. Hopefully when the guys get back, the designers will be done.
Add Rakitic, Badelj, Pranjic, Ilicevic, and Kovacic into the mix that played today, – Croatia will be ok.
We are a small nation that cannot afford too many injuries and suspensions. As fans, we have been spoiled that our national side has remained in the top 10 FIFA list for such a long time. Other countries, with many more players to choose from, go through some very long bad cycles, something our teams have somehow been immune to.
Having said that, the newspapers and fans back home have been ripping the crowd (or, lack of) at Maksimir today. Chanting "out with Bilic", Play on Pederi" and some anti-Jewish slogans (which I'm sure will make a few Ustasha wannabees in this forum smirk) is disappointing.
Maybe giving games to Osijek and Rijeka should be looked at. Hell, even the Croatian half of Mostar would be cool – (never happen, of course, but, maybe a friendly?) They are some of the most passionate/loyal supporters we have. Let the Zagreb faithful relearn how to support the Vatreni. They're even confused as to when they should be cheering for Dinamo.
My parents live on an island off Zadar. My one wish is to take my Dad to see the national side play live – hopefully next summer for Euro 2012.
@CSR, you should have someone grading every player's performance on a scale of 1-7.
1) below avg
2) avg
3) avg+
4) good
5) good+
6) very good
7) excellent
Allen19 "That goal was insane, never knew he had it in him."
Modric struck that with VENOM!
The saddest thing is I feel we start out to cautious. Its been a common trend…unless we get scored on we really show lack of urgency on a consistent basis its the same slow movement of the ball. The first 45 minutes we created nothing…we go a goal down regardless if we are playing against 10…and we constantly are attacking in the final third.
I am satisfied with the overall performance. I will never understand how any of our strikers start over Eduardo…at 1/2 the player he is still a better choice. Yes, awesome pass by Modric but the instinct of Eduardo to make that run and stay onside and finish was class. I couldn't be happier for the guy because he is our best striker! After nearly getting his leg broken again he scores 2 goals in 2 minutes.
As for Modric what more do I need to say!? Play him more forward…that is what will happen. Not only the goal but the pass to Eduardo. I know he can play deep and is great at it but when he has that freedom that far forward…this will be more common in the NT.
I haven't felt this good about a Croatia performance since when they beat Germany. After struggling with Ukraine and barley beating Belarus, I was so happy to see a dominating victory against a decent side. Yes I know it was one man advantage but Croatia was dominant the entire game despite Simunic slip up. Let's break it down. Pleti is great in net. He could have done better on the goal but he got fooled. He made a terrific save on a free kick. The command he shows in net is much more confident in Runje. I'm happy to see Pleti finally fully back, he deserves it. The defense was commanding for most part. Any idea why Corluka was taken out? I'm thinking cause Srna can take over RB and they can make it 3 strikers with Eduardo coming in. Simunic was really solid despite the one mistake. Croatia has to watch the counter like that. Otherwise Simunic and Lovern did well. Strinic really can play but its his decision making is a problem. He makes some stupid mistakes including shooting instead of a cross to Jelavic. Still he runs his socks off and has a bright future. Well it took a while but Modric finally had that breakout game. That goal was insane, never knew he had it in him. He could shoot for sure, it has been confirmed. His assist to Eduardo was poetry in motion. Perfect run and perfect pass. He was man of the match for me today, he was brilliant. Niko didn't bring his scoring boots, missed a sitter but he can't always be perfect. His cross field passing is top notch. He found Corluka time and time again. Why does Vuki start? Dujomvic looked good out there, he was aggressive and stands out more. Srna was annoying and I think he is now suspended for Greece. 2nd time he's been suspended now in qualifying, what a clown. He finally put in a cross worth noting with Eduardo scoring. Its about time. I still have no idea how Manzo starts, he gets constant starts but doesn't score. He didn't look like much of a threat out there. Jelavic wasn't great but he works so hard. He gives up possession too much but he's a workhorse. Its a shame he was offside because he really deserved a goal. Kalinic coming on was stupid, he looked like a tool pouting on the bench. Eduardo was amazing, it was the old days all over again. I hope he keeps it up, hopefully its not just his usual success against Israel. I was so happy with him, huge super sub. This was a great win, I was a very happy man. We should all be happy and thank the Latvians for tying Greece. Croatia doesn't need to deal with bunker defense because Greece will need the win. A win and we will be partying knowing were in the Euro Cup. A tie and all we need is a win at home vs Latvia. A loss and its likely were headed to playoffs. Hopefully no injuries in the next month. October 7th will be one for the ages.
Eduardo has now scored 7 goals vs Isreal, dating back to Euro 2008 qualifying.
#beastmode
"Srna's assist was an own goal. Eduardo didn't end up touching it, but they gave it to him. Deflected off the back of the Israeli defender and in."
Can anyone else confirm this, I could have sworn Eduardo got ahead of the defender and deflect-headed it into the goal.
Mandzukic has put up numbers, that' s why he starts.
Kalinic looked like he was going to cry on the bench today.
Srna's assist was an own goal. Eduardo didn't end up touching it, but they gave it to him. Deflected off the back of the Israeli defender and in. It was his 2nd or 3rd good cross.
Franjo Tudjman said…
"I lost the feed at halftime for some reason 🙁 "
——————————
So it was your fault we were down at the half, and because you lost the feed, the jinx was over and Croatia went on to destroy Israel. Do us all a favor and stop watching our NT team!…..ahahaha.
"was it Srna who supplied the assist for Eduardo's second?"
Yea, and Modric supplied Eduardo's first.
Thanks GoldenChild
What a goal by Modric, just wish he's try his luck more often.
Plus, was it Srna who supplied the assist for Eduardo's second?
Mandzukic is probably the worst…why does he start ?
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idUxWcleMrE&feature=youtu.be
DUDUSTASA COMES THROUGH AGAIN LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS BEFORE THE INJURY!
Today is almost the exact opposite of the day we lost to Georgia; remember how many of you were acting as tho the sky had fallen?
I came home from work at halftime to see we were trailing and I was in utter despair……then Modric lauched the mutha fuckin HOWITZER!
I lost the feed at halftime for some reason 🙁
If anyone has a link for entire match, please post.
Congrats to the boys for coming back after being down at halftime.
Well, a Greek loss would have been preferable but a draw still leaves us in first place in the group. Sweet!
Anyone got highlights yet? I didn't see the game
If Eduardo started, that game would have been 5-1. Good second half and good win overall.
Rest of Latvia – Greece:
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/5635/1/latvia-vs-greece.html
Definitely not a dive. I don't know why Strinic gets so much hate, but he's very good on the left. Defense needs work, but what guy on our defense doesn't. He's good on the attack.
Dudu man of the match.
Jelavic is looking better.
Haha havent watched enough to say that, but it doesnt compare to how dirty greece played against israel.
Skippy I agree.
Is it just me or are the jews a bunch of cheap shotting assholes?
That wasnt a dive.
Jelavic losing possession a lot tonight. Ugh. I'm his biggest fanboy, and I'm over here yelling at the screen.
http://atdhenet.tv/39252/watch-croatia-vs-israel
hrt – great feed no lag or anything
http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/82269/1/watch-croatia-vs-israel.html
Who's got a working link? I lost the feed
ZA DOME
Niko should have made it 4!
Just like I wrote a half-time – trebamo igrati vise po Modrica. Bravo Luka!
3-1! Samo Napred!
3 – 1 Oh yeah.
That's why Slaven should always start Eduardo.
BOOM… new group leaders Hrvatska after today? PLEASE!!!
2 – 1 NICE.
I didn't see it. What was it? A blast from the box? Bicycle?
EPIC GOAL!!!
DID EVERYONE SEE THAT?? AHH NICE!
Luka volim te
Hvala Modric!
WHAT A GOAL!!
OH FUCK MODRIC!!!
Bobby. Kranjcar had the best look at Jelavic on that play, and dumped it to Strinic. Jelavic already covered by the time Strinic has a chance to give it off.
Strinic isn't that bad to me. He's not fantastic, but he's what we have. Simunic looks fucking tired.
How can you care about how Greece is playing against Latvia? So sad to depend on such a game for our own qualification. Now, it is better to lose and start at 0.
Just got to my hotel room, is it half time?
Strinic had Jelavic wide open in the center of the box in the 38th minute, but elects to shoot weakly on goal.
@DD that was on the backs not the goalie
Strinic and Lovren should not be playing, Modric not involved enough – our players don't look for him, Mandzukic is absent, Srna just dribbles with his head down, looks to get fouled and usually loses the ball, Jelavic looks clumsy – the only threat so far has been Kranjcar with his long range efforts.
Rakitic does so much for this team and his absence shows, but, it's our defense that has me worried.
Good news: Latvia leads Greece 1-0
LATVIA SCORES… UP 1-0 TO GREECE!
greece is losing 1-0 in latvia
And get Pletikosa the hell out of there!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brilliant marking on that counter attack… Lovren has a lot of work to do, I've been pleased with Strinic though
Srna is horrible and has been horrible for the pas few years.
I cant belive this!
I can't believe it!
They get one chance and score. Unbelievable.
srna cannot pass, cannot cross well…pathetic
Wow, what a great chance Jelavic had.
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
For the Croatia game and for other matches, this has taken over for myptp (click link above)
Puno Hvala !!!!
Hvala ti! 😉
sorry GC 🙂 – but, thanks!
http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/82269/1/watch-croatia-vs-israel.html
http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/82269/1/watch-croatia-vs-israel.html
Any link please?
myp2p.eu
I know match has yet to start but has anyone found a feed to use? Thanks
free football only ofering 4 links – all bad…any help?
So the lineup is:
Pletikosa
Strinic Simunic Lovren Corluka
Vukojevic Jelavic Mordric Srna
Mandzukic Kranjcar
I'm surprised Eduardo isn't starting much lately.
Prediction:
Croatia:1__Israel:2
I really hope i am wrong, but it just has that feel about it.
My Aussie Rules football team, the Collingwood Magpies lost this week, after dominating the whole season like never before. And then this week they lose by 96 points, unbelieveable! usally when they lose its followed by a croatia loss. I dont know if im just superstitious, but it almost always works out that way.
God i hope im wrong.
Ignore him please. Game time in 2 hours
Hot off net.hr/sport
'U našem taboru vlada potpuni kaos, igrači ne razgovaraju, ne provode vrijeme zajedno, čak se ni ne pozdravljaju', izjavila je izraelska novinarka u razgovoru s hrvatskim izbornikom Slavenom Bilićem.
"In our camp, total chaos, the players do not talk, do not spend time together, even the not welcome," said Israeli journalist in an interview with the Croatian coach Slaven Bilic.
Total chaos doesn't sound too good.
Do I like Modric as CDM, never. I should have put him an Niko next to each other. The way I look at it though, is Niko plays closer with the forwards than Luka does. We all know Niko doesn't have the will to constantly be running back and forth, so that's why I put him up there.
anyone heard of this guy?
The Latvia – Greece match starts 1/2 hour after ours…watching Argentina-Nigeria right now off the above website – more specifically :
http://adf.ly/2b3WP
@ Franjo
http://www.freefootball.eu/upcoming.php
You can always start with this site – a similiar version of the myp2p page, but, as you mentioned, hopefully we'll get some help
kalinic expected to start not too crazy about that one!
expected line up
vrsaljko corluka simunic strinic
srna vuko modric kranjcar
mandzukic kalinic
Even though they are showing other games, ESPN3.com will again NOT be showing the Croatia game 🙁
Hopefully, fellow Croats will again be able to provide links that can be seen at work, since sites like atdhenet and myp2p are blocked.
parker will now* play CDM
@ Andej
I watch spurs play every week and I have never seen Modric play holding or CDM barr that terrible game against man utd when Arry played Kranjcar and Niko in the middle of the park. Modric is usually given more freedom and i assume parker will not play CDM or holding. prior to that it was sandro or palacios.
another thing. Modric is like a rat scurrying back in defence…why would anyone want him playing cdm his to small and cant tackle for shit. Sure his defensive qualities have improved, but he is not a CDM kthyxbye.
I have Croatia with a 3-2 win. Israel should play an open attacking game as anything less than a W will put them out of contention.
Lovren off a corner,
Srna off a free kick,
Israel give croatia scare before the half,
Kranjcar from Modric,
Israel give croatia another scare
Looking forward to see everyone at Mongaghan's today!
I have a question for those who always want Modric to be a CDM. Sure he does it at Tottenham but Tottenham isn't a great side who have many options in that spot. He does well he was 2nd in the PL in interceptions and rarely gets beat but he needs freedom! He is stuck covering to often at Tottenham and he has same problem in the NT. Modric can play deep and create but he can also do it from much closer up the field and thats the freedom we have to find him somehow. I know he is good at playing the role but I dont see us playing him to his best. Not to many top teams would play him that deep if they had a CDM who could cover him. Maybe that is our problem but I still feel he is a bit wasted when he is picking the balls up in our own side rather than being the guy close to the final ball. He is stuck playing to disciplined since getting that role but we saw Modric earlier in his career very dangerous further up the field. I am glad he is so versetile but I just don't understand why we are trying to make him mimic what he does at Tottenham. Lets just say if he was at Chelsea he won't be playing that role and if that move does happen in the future you will see that.
Plenti
Vrsalkjo, Simunic, Lovren, Strnic
Srna, Badelj(if he recovers from virus)/Corluka(2nd choice for CDM)Modric, Perisic(kranjcar only if at 100%)
Eduardo, Jelavic
I love Klasnic but he is a 30-45 minute man in the NT. He is my first sub of the bench for either striker.
Kranjcar I love too but I dont see him being fully recovered so I will take my chances with Perisic still. The kid needs time and I am willing to work with him if the other options are not fit.
Vrsaljko didn't make my jaw drop vs Malta but that being said he wasn't terrible. We are at home and Srna is great at RM where he can provide cover defensively and service going forward. I think those two can be a good fit on the right with time. If not Sime than Corluka at RB.
Vukojevic will probably get the start at CDM but I really enjoyed Badelj last match. He is sick with a virus and I doubt he recovers but Corluka would have my spot regardless over Vuko who still showed he isn't great at closing down for being the CDM.
I have faith in all 3 but Israel has showed that they are a strong team and we have always had a rough time with them.
Pletikosa
Corluka Lovren Simunic Strinic
Srna Modric Perisic
Kranjcar
Mandzo/Klasnic
Mandzo is a stretch, but I think Bilic gives this tandem the go again.
do you clowns who come on here and post ridiculous bullshit, ever sit back and read your posts? try it sometime, you might get a laugh out of it.
2-1 Croatia, with us getting the winner late
ajmo istra
forza fiume – AR 87
Apparently Badelj will miss the match tomorrow. Unfortuneatly.
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFEVkuZVpyBYglWhSn&tmpl=coranto_euro2012
@zach G – I like the line up. Klasnic will probably get the start, even after his performance on Friday. Also, I really think Badelj will be in the line up too.
Pletkosa
Corluka Lovren Simunic Strinic
Srna Dujmovic Modric
Kranjcar
Eduardo Jelavic/Klasnic
That's what I'd like to see
Anyways. What do you think the formation is going to look like tomorrow? Modric, Kranjcar, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Strinic, and Pletikosa all seem like definite starters. Who is Bilic throwing in to fill the gaps?
Jersey, why will Badelj miss out on this game?
Look I am a huge fan of basketball, but guys we have a huge game tomorrow shouldn't we keep the discussion just on this? Save it for croatiansports….when it comes out that is.
Draper isn't any good in reality, he is an average player who had a good season in the NLB. To me, an NLB player should have no business in the Cro NT, but I guess thats how far they have fallen
The black guys on Macedonia and BiH were 100x better than Draper, not that I agree with them playing for those countries.
I mean how lax are the rules in basketball that pretty much every team has an American on it? Draper has been in Croatia for what…1-2 years and gets called up?
Of course, Draper shouldn't be blamed, but it almost seemed as his spot was cemented from Day 1, which I fear will happen with Sammir. If they don't deserve it, don't force it
Badelj will miss the match
U21s meanwhile are receiving a lecture from Switzerland, losing 4:0. I am certain the Cro soccer team will go down the same path of the basketball team if the people at the top don't wake up and realize our style of play is about 20-30 years outdated
http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=231791&sid=2563b14834b3b707c7700f7f8d6786ad&start=30
@TheGoldenChild
"I can't see Badelj being pulled, as he showed the best form last game."
Great point! He was great against Malta and I really like his potential going forward!
@shinobi
Here is the only analysis that matters:
One defeat in 17 years of qualification football @ Maksimir Stadium = fortress
All the other points are pure fluff and heresay.
So now that Kranjcar and Modric are back, what do you think our formation is going to look like? Is Bilic going to keep Vukojevic and/or Perisic in?
I can't see Badelj being pulled, as he showed the best form last game.
@anonymous
Id be happy to explain, here is my take on on it and it will be proven to be true.
1.croatia hadnt lost there for fourteen years prior to that english defeat,( under bilic.)
2.since that defeat they have looked shakey whenever they play there. lacking the confidence and drive they once possessed when on that ground. They also look very beatable, once the fortress walls were torn down by the pommies, and other teams smell the blood, and know now its not mission impossible
to gain points from maksimir, losing that aura it once had also eminates through the playing group.
3.since that defeat, the two quality teams that have played there in important games (ukraine and greece) have gone away with points in the bag. so i think my analysis seems to ring true, that maksimir is not the fortress it once was.
Other game:
http://www.flashscores.co.uk/detail/4028cvJL/?of=uk#summary
…and I thought today was the 6th.
Any other links for the game? athd no go. My p2p says Croatia vs Greece
Mandzukic's attitude always shows on the field. His cockiness is way too big for how good of a player he really is. (Like Ante at Soccer City)
I'm scared to watch the game today. Not sure why Allen can't trust Perisic. If there is one person I can't trust after last game, it's Kalinic. Two beautiful chances to put the ball in the net, and he failed miserably. (one right at the keeper, the other god knows where)
I'm hoping Modric's attitude doesn't carry over into this game. I know it's been a rough month, and the last thing I would want is the heart of our squad playing like Eor (winnie the pooh reference).
Defense gives up a goal for sure, as they always do. So I'm saying (praying) 2-1 again.
@shinobi
"Maksimir is not the fortress it once was."
Last time I checked we have only lost one qualification game at this stadium in our history so I really don't understand the point you are trying to make. Could you please explain.
Manzo should be fined for the stupid designs on his sideburns. He is such a tool.
Are Croatian fans scared of the match in Greece on October 7th because of the 'Greek bunker defense'? What are Croatian fans' expectations for that match? Does Croatia have enough firepower to defeat Greece in Athens?
This really annoys me to be honest. Don't worry Ante and Denis are the best, were all great buddies and all but come on. Why would you ask what we think of that match now. We have to beat Israel first. To talk about that bunker defense now is pointless. Firepower in Athens, sorry not interested right now. It's one game at a time now, we need three points. Let's worry about free flowing attack of Israel before anything. I will make my prediction later but I just want to point out that it's kind of stupid to do that. People forget if Israel loses they are out. Croatia is up six points on them with one extra game to play. Israel is done if they don't win this game pretty much. It's all for the marbles and I have little faith Croatia keeps a clean sheet which isn't the worst thing but it's not good.
@Allen19
couldnt agree more, israel should be the focal point at this of time. Dont worry what other teams are doing, or whom they are playing. This is a real danger game against israel and should be treated as such. Maksimir is not the fortress it once was, and israel will be ready to rectify that loss to greece at home. So brace yourself for a real challenge….and we will talk about greece when we are ready to play greece.
Mandzukic fined:
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-wolfsburg-fines
Also that's a really scary picture of Billc. If only he used that face to motivate his players.
LOL Ivica, still can't believe Friday when you said that. But Rakitic isn't healthy and wasn't called up so no he isn't. GREAT news to see Kranjcar back for the game, he will be needed for this game. I can't trust Persic in these big games. As for automatic qualification through 2nd, that could happen. It's better just to stay focused on beating whoever is right in front of us. Let's worry about Israel, too much talk of Greece up there.
Question: Any change we can expect Ivan Rakitic to be available for this match?
Something that may have been overlooked by everyone here…
Croatia MAY NOT need to beat Greece to qualify.
With Sweden losing to Hungary, we are now one of the best 2nd placed teams. If we win against both Israel and Latvia, we can afford a draw against Greece and still qualify directly unless Norway and Montenegro win ALL their games… which isn't a long shot.
I know we'd prefer to finish 1st and settle it that way, but I'd take any avenue.
-Dinko Dog
kranjcar je kralj!