Barring a complete Belgian (or) Croatian collapse, the Vatreni will be a seeded team in November’s UEFA playoff draw for the 2014 World Cup. In FIFA’s latest rankings, Croatia dropped two spots to #10, which still keeps them in front of some pretty tough competition. Teams will still shift around with the last round of qualifiers in the next week, but as it stands, this would be the playoff scenario.
Croatia, who are guaranteed second place in the group but not necessarily a playoff spot, would be seeded amongst top 25 teams Greece, Portugal and Sweden. However, Portugal can always pass up Russia in their group with the same happening to Greece and Bosnia. That would leave France, Ukraine (or even Montenegro/England as a seed), Hungary and Iceland as unseeded teams.
As said before, this is as it stands today. Teams will move in and out of the picture with two more games remaining, which means Croatia can see Bulgaria, Denmark, Romania, Slovenia or even Turkey slip into the playoff picture.
Croatia needs to defeat Belgium at home for a morale boost and then hope for the best in the playoff draw on October 21st. Getting France would be an absolute disaster. But then again, would missing two straight World Cups finally get the HNS and staff cleaned up?
So after all the heartache from two games with Serbia and an absolutely unbelievable loss to Scotland, Croatia could still draw a powerhouse like France in the playoff round and have done it all for nothing. The next FIFA rankings will be unveiled after qualifying ends on October 17th. ESPNFC has also reported that FIFA will use October’s rankings for seeding in the 2014 World Cup. That means if Croatia can take care of business against Belgium and Scotland, they can still finish off qualifying in the world top 8. Things in the Croatian camp can get really optimistic or really ugly soon. In one week’s time, the picture will look as clear as day.
Hey everyone , I am a kurdish but my background is Croatian ,
I watched the game vs Belgium.there was a very wrong formation by the manager , even we played good football but it was only credited to the players , I think in this kinds of games which is must win game we should have played fast player and hard working player like olic or jealovic , and also a player in the box who can take every chances in side the box like Eduardo , no matter if mandzokic is playing for a big club , I would not play him till after 65 mins at least ,cos he is to heavy , I love him lots but I think there was a better player for this game , then also velasjko was choosing more than 8-12 crosses with no one of them reaching any danger places ! Also we needed player like kranjkar who can shoot from distances , because the Belgians was defending , and it was hard to go any where near the box so kranjkar have the ability
To shoot from distance , and also SRNA was a big loss , by the way I am living in Glasgow Scotland and I will go for the game at the 15 at Hamden park and I will support beautiful CROATIA , no matter if it is France or Spain or brazil , I believe we are always better team against strong teams , remember Spain game at euro ? If there was a second leg we would win the game , so please who ever comes to Glasgow let me know I would like to meet Croatian brothers even I can’t speak Croatian but I am a Croat , long life Croatia Long life to kurdistan Zagreb and zagros mountains are the same meaning
We are one nation kurt and Kruat , the same ppl you can see the text , and the closes from the culture , we was one at the time of the median empire ,
“Viduka had some very bad performances in big games.”
Not surprised.. he had an absolutely atrocious scoring record for Australia, i dont know what it was exactly but it must be one of the lowest scoring ratios for a forward of that quality at international level !
@Iggy…..there is more to it, but one of the reasons was because Viduka was viewed as Franjo’s boy and Viduka had some very bad performances in big games.
@Ante B – haha, even though I’m a Zadar/Hajduk fan.
I want to know more about this Juric fellow and Viduka.
Ziva and i were discussing why the V-bomber (as he was known in aus) was so hated in his time at dinamo a month or two ago actually some might remember. As an aussie i’d like to hear more about how juric was a wanker to mark ?
Thanks Slavonac !
A vi ste kao satro posteni? Ma jebo vas Kerum, Sanader, Fiorentini i drustvo.
Bolje posteno drugi nego kupljene titulejadni ste kekekekee
Yeah Bobby, they’re called the Torcida. Hahahahahahahahahaha sorry couldn’t let that go. Door. Open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mUuOzB5Ww8
Does Hajduk have any Baba Hooligans?
@Denis Svircic
Couldn’t agree more!
It’s not everyday that Danijel Subasic gets mentioned in a “power ranking” for anything. Just thought it was worth showing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A34LnZ2G5Ms&list=PL2A81FA1B1764492B
Mamic/D.Guetta
@Poglavnik,
Shaka Hislop is a clown. Dude does his rankings based on standings in the league. His standings are like the FIFA rankings. 2 weeks ago he had tottenham #9 in the world. hahahahahahaha..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzWNp5XwtFQ
…even in Libya – haha, cool video
http://espnfc.com/powerrankings?league=generic&year=2013&week=5&cc=5901
Shaka Hislop with some props for Subasic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emaJaoIapJM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3yASJuNKZ8
more comedy
This is Croatian national team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hylr1IYnhlw
Ante B – wait until there is a big arguement and then you go to bed and your weiner accidently rubs up against her hand…he wakes up…hard and happy… and she wants nothing to do with him! Thats how we know she’s the boss!
This team needs a coach not mafia scum bag like SMS,today i told some people i wish we lose tommorow they called me a jugovic and that i hate Croatia.
There is a very good reason people like Boban and the Dario Simic’s of the world want nothing to do with the savez. Plus, these clowns who run the savez would never allow the Bobans and Simics the chance to get close.
Simic tried to establish what basically is a player’s union (not sure if it is still functioning) and he was met with silence.
Slavonac on a roll today! I’m learning that slowly but surely one year into our marriage. We think were the head of the family but it’s the wife. Like in that movie Big Fat Greek wedding, the men might be the head but the woman is the neck and wherever the neck goes, so does the head. That being said, I’m still able to get away with things when I put my down. Key word: still.
More people at the Hjaduk Beksitas game than tommorow hahahaha. HJADUKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Ziva is American and yes I’m originally from Toronto.
We lived in the Balkans at the same time…and hung out whenever he was in ZG.
Became fast friends and shared some good times.
When I first heard I wasn’t sure if I believed it, but then I saw a couple of different guys from CSR this summer in Croatia and they said they were 99.9% sure. Then, it got me thinking, and I felt like Chaz Palmatieri (?) when he realized Kevin Spacey was Kayser Soze in the movie usual suspects (ok, not even close to being that dramatic), with some of his personal details that he unknowingly leaked on the site. And that is when I knew they were right!!!
@T.O. Cro
Damn. I always that Ziva was the alter ego of Cico but I was wrong. (smart one of Cico). I was wrong, thank you for the clarification.
how do you guys know each other…same city…Toronto I’m guessing? But Ziva is American no?
years, huh?
U boj
I wouldn’t release his identity on this site.
In real life he’s nothing like his alter ego.
Great guy, actually!
@T.O Cro
What you claim the guys at CSR know who Ziva is? You know Dukic has been hunting him down for years.
The Savez is a reflection of the world. Period!
The truth is that the Savez is a reflection of the state of football world-wide…..little transparency, all kinds of agenda’s it is actually a perfect spot like most other federations for people on the take.
Not until FIFA and UEFA get serious about cleaning up the game will there be any top-down push into each country federation to operate above board.
I see the game actually collapsing in on itself before there is any real substantive change.
You guys all complain about the end result, yet don’t recognize the root causes.
Hajduk & Slavonac,
Agree with both of your posts.
As someone who lives in Ljepa Nasa, I hate to admit it, but we currently are a banana republic.
That said, if one has a decent job, the lifestyle is great!
Slavonac from Canada says:
Sude Mi – Zvone Boban!
He’s too smart to take on the job, as he knows eventually his reputation would be blackened…point is, there is no-one that would not eventually be considered a crook.
Sad but true.
Hajduk – you make some very good point here, I agree with most. I think Croatians are intelligent people, produce good athletes, are innovative and logical…seriously, look at many many countries in the world and see how fucked up their culture’s and societies are. Some very dysfunctional…several ridiculous so called “taboo’s”…”inequality on several levels”…”superstitions”…We are plagued with “Ego’s”! people that end up in places they shouldnt be and are too stubborn to admit it even when its evident.
My dad used to tell me he never dated women that wore pants. How all women should wear dresses or skirts.
I’m starting to think there was a much deeper reasoning to that…
Needless to say his marriage to my mom didn’t last.
The HNS is a carbon copy of the Croatian government since independence – – designed to make a few people very rich while plundering or selling the country’s natural resources/industries. There is no strategy, no vision, no template for success.
The two most successful Croatian generations were 1998 (a direct product of the Yugoslav school of soccer, Chile 1987) and 2008 (a team whose backbone and leadership was made up of diaspora players).
There is talent in Croatia, however, there is no leadership. Explain to me how a top 10 National team gets a totally inexperienced and incompetent coach? Where else in the world does that happen? Maybe in some banana republic.
T.O. CRO – I’m with you on that also, I just cant go against my own…no matter how hard I try. Pride (definitely not the rainbow version) and Passion!
Not disappointed Slavonac. I understand what you wrote very well. Happy wife=happy life, right?!
I was just being funny…
I agree with all the other posters that support the national team at all cost. Stimac, Suker and Mamic aren’t playing on the pitch and I doubt anything radical would happen within the Savez if we lose…
Looking forward in going to the game and watching good footie, even though I may not be happy with the outcome, but that is what sport is all about, right?
In real life Ziva is not a bad guy, at all. Much funnier guy in person…
Sude Mi – Zvone Boban!
Sudi Mi,
Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!
T.O. CRO – dude, sorry to disappoint you but we all think we wear the pants…eventually its our wives! Our dads always thought they wore the pants, my dad was tougher than concrete nails…my mom let him have the final say…just like most women do!
Is there anyone that could become President of the Savez that people wouldn’t eventually believe is on the take?
Let’s face it, in CRO everyone believes everyone in any position of power either got there because of some veza or is milking the system or both.
Not sure if any of you have read Declan Hill’s book “The Fix” on corruption in world football, but given this and the almost daily revelations about corruption, to me CRO is not the exception but rather the rule…..see Italy and Turkey as recent examples.
I still support the repka come hell or high water. Anyone who says they don’t and then watches and cheers them on in the WC oin Brazil is a hypocrite.
Poglavnik-exactly!
Yes, Ziva has a wife and she definitely wears the pants in that relationship…
Ziva has a wife in that basement!?!
So thats where all the negativity stems from. 🙂
@Ziva
In a perfect world we smash teams despite what the Savez does.
No point in rooting against us.
Losing wont change a thing other than which kriminalac is steering the ship.
As far as the crickets? I don’t live on this site like some people! Now, I’ve got to get ready for the big game tomorrow…
Hey Ziva, it was an honest mistake. Someone posted earlier on this thread or maybe another one candidates for future coaches and mentioned Ivan Juric. Then, I finished work picked up my iPad and saw that you wrote “do you mean Goran Juric” thinking you we’re confused about Ivan, because I didn’t read Slavonac’s post. It turns out I was confused and I admitted it. It is no big secret that Viduka and Juric hung out. No reason to be a dick about it! BTW, your alter ego is no big secret to the guys that run CSR. And they told me who you are and it turns out I know you quite well. Laughed my ass off when they told me… Say hi to the wife!
I am watching this jadan i mali hajduk -Besiktas game…………man, good thing the repka is not playing in Split tomorrow. The field at Poljud is a disaster.
Psyched up for what?????? I’m not playing tomorrow and I won’t be in the stands tomorrow, so nothing for me to be psyched up for. Plus, even if I was in ZG, no chance I would pay money to watch that game tomorrow. Paying money to the savez is nodding your head in approval to their leadership.
If you went to war with me you would come out a winner becaue I would be prepared, know everything about the enemy and have clear, strategic plan.
I wouldn’t be surpirsed if we get the win tomorrow. Belgium is missing key players and only needs a point. I think they come into the game looking for a point and we might be able to score that important first goal and then hold on for the win.
In a perfect world, we get blown out tomorrow and Stimac is fired on the spot. Beause the savez would be in a tough spot they would be forced to hire a caretaker coach they normally would not want to deal with (Cico, Ciro, basically anyone who is competant). Then that caretaker coach goes on to win the playoff round. And as soon as we win the playoff round igor Stimac is bombarded with media requests for his reaction to everything.
Guys like Ziva bark but dont bite…but he’ll kill ya with ‘the truth” you may not wanna hear!
@Ziva “TMZ” Istina
Can you take off the “pessimist glasses” for 24 hours and get psyched up like MatesicMethod?!
God, imagine going to war with a guy like Ziva? 🙂
Anybody watching the Hajduk – Besiktas friendly? 1-2 for Besiktas.
I always look for home undergounds, especially in college football.
@ Ziva – I was a heavy sports bettor – For 7 years, it was a play or 2 a night. I was banned by three bookies for whacking them too much.
The only way to make money is to bet on underdogs you think/know will win the game outright. Never bet on a favorite in my life.
The reason 99% of gamblers lose money is that they don’t have the balls to bet consistently on underdogs -that, my friends, is the truth.
You need to watch the games you bet on to see how the teams are playing – not just look at results. I found this to be especially true and had the most luck with hockey.
…and parlay bets, action/reverses are for suckers.
Ante B – Im still laughing about the Saudi Arabia comment…hahaha…you arent shy, just say it like it is!
Ante B – hahahaha…geez, you are bringing back some very old memories! I know exactly… and I mean exactly what you mean. I lived at the stadium Bijeli Breg, you could see my room from the street, right above the parking lot where the staff parked their cars. I lived there with a few others…we each had our room that was connected with a TV room…TV in the middle and 10 rooms around the perimiter. It was used for out of town players or guys that had to travel a distance to get to practice and games. Once you had a good contract the team bought you an apartment or house, I was in my first year so I still lived with some out of town players until they got their bigger contracts…and some definitely did!
@ Slovonac
Oh my post had nothing to do with you dude, just shit stirring for those that weren’t aware of Srna’s background. I think a lot of folks on here have zero idea he’s a half mujo, Zuti, Subasic, Rijeka legend (hehe) Bosko Balaban a half Serb, etc.
Where in Mostar were you living? I went for the first time this last summer and we mistakingly took a walk on “their” side and I felt like I was in Saudia Arabia. Every dzamija is met with an even bigger crkva right behind it and a huge Kriz on the top of the mountain. Drugim rijecima, it was a mind fuck.
Ante B – if you ever met him you’d know the lowlife he is…don’t forget that in Mostar everything is followed up with a “bolan” or “bona”…it confused the living shit outta me for the first few days! Goran Juric also used to race birds, I forgot the name of the type but apparently he pissed off a neighbor one time and they released a cat in the bird pen…I think 7 or 8 were killed!
Yes, rifle…at least I think thats how remember he said it, nevertheless the fucker was wearing them. at a later date he tried to get my “ghetto blaster” but I started to lock the room!
Hahahah oooo RIFLE! My bad. Sorry I had a hell of a morning but it’s still a funny story nonetheless.
@Ziva Istina
Prosinecki is half Ziva, dont leave out the croatian in him, and he considers himself a hrvat.
Slavonac. Damn you iPhone auto correct. You’re a piece of sheet. See?
Slavonic from Canada,
You get post of the day for that Juric story. I’m still laughing brate. Jebote…pusku za traperice…ideeesssss! Amazing.
this is getting good…….Modric basically asking/begging the fans earlier today not to boo at tomorrow’s game. Can you imagine the reaction if we give an early goal or are losing at the half.
Juric was a mental case….no two ways about it! I’ll never ever forget the day he came down the stairs from our apartments (he had no business being there as he had a home in Mostar, I was living with a few other guys although we all had our own rooms). he walked up to me and said “prijatelju…poklonit ces mi ove rifle”…the cocksucker went into my room, took out a pair of Levi 501 and was wearing them…hahaha….I was laughing and shocked at the same time but said he could have them! he was always good to me and treated me very well… but I saw how he acted and treated others…no other way to describe him other than an inscure/mentally challenged/wannabe cool guy!
I never really noticed him as a drinker, but that might be because we had different crowds!
By the way, crickets from T.O. CRO……………..
Very quick to jump in when you thought I was wrong in what i was talking about, huh?
Remember what I said……sometimes its better to remain quite and not be considered an idiot instead of posting incorrect statments and trying to present them as fact.
Armada – I dont understand your comment? are you criticizing me or agreeing? I have no problems with guys that are born in Croatia, pledge their loyalty to Croatia and play for Croatia whether they are half or full blooded something else but live there. My comment was based on the fact that people point out Halilovic is half…I say so are many. If they choose Croatia then great! Srna was an example…Srna’s father was born a Muslim…I’m comparing his situation with Halilovic!
Just to be clear………I have no issues with Srna, Halilovic, Miladin Prso, Balaban or any other mujo or serb who played or plays for us. As long as they are not forced on the repka (mujo Halilovic), they are welcomed in my eyes.
Hell, I’m in favor of a serb being our next national team coach in Prosinecki.
Agreed on that…….the players don’t care about halilovic being a half mujo. that is my term for him – and only my term. The current players don’t get political at all, but that doesn’t man they have issues with him being called up.
As for Goran Juric…….yeah, dude had issues. I have no clue what he is doing today. Maybe went back to Mostar to coach???? Juric could sure drink.
Darijo “My fathers is name Uzeir” Srna
Fully Croatian, my friends. How in your right mind could you call our almighty captain a MUJO! Sram te bilo!
@Slavonac from Canada……..I got no issues with half mujos on the repka. Srna has done well. We have had serbs and currently have serbs on the repka. Miladin Prso gave everything he had for the repka and he is a total serb.
My only issue with Halilovic is that he does not deserve to be on the repka. And the only reason he is on the repka is because the savez is scared/worried/fearful that he would select BiH. Think about that for a second. Members of the savez are worried they may lose a player to Bosna!!!! I say let him go and make his own choice. he should have been called up when ready, not now. No wonder there are current players shaking their head with all of this.
Ohhh Ziva, about the half “MUJO”…our captain is half “MUJO” …so tell me, If Halilovic were 100% Croatian, would it make any difference?
actually it is Goran Juric…biggest idiot I’ve ever met in my life! When we played together there were a few Croatian guys that told me to stay as far away from him as possible. Zdenko Jedvaj (Tin Jedvaj’s father), Josko Popovic, Predrag Juric all knew what kind of mental case he was….he apparently stroked Ciro’s ego and I think he may have stroked something else!?!?
Ziva – you remember when Harry Redknapp said Croatians are some of the best professionals (or something to that effect) in the game. Again, its been forever since I’ve been involved and I dont have any new generation contacts…BUT I know our culture of players, they normally dont rock the boat and I think its us that live abroad that talk about the “half mujo” far more than they do….as I mentioned…I have never recalled anyone calling Srna a “mujo”…but he is half! I believe our more reputable players are good guys and arent looking for attention so thats why I doubt the rumor…I think they actually support Halilovic, they may not like it but they understand it!
@T.O. Cro…….you know, sometimes its better to be quiet and not say anything in case there is ever doubt if a person is an idiot. Staying quiet at least can make you NOT look like a fool. Sad to say you just showed you are an idiot.
Now go re-read what Slavonac from Canada wrote……..and then read what you just wrote. Ivan Juric never played for Dinamo and never played on the 98 World Cup team. Now, I may be wrong on my Goran Juric specualtion (although I know pleny about his relationship with Viduka), but at least I am no fool.
Oh I see why you mentioned Goce. In reference to Viduka? My bad…
He wasn’t talking about Goce Juric, but Ivan Juric. You know the player who tried to replace Niko Kovac?! Played for Genoa, was assistant coach at Inter for a short period of time?!
Ziva, your lack of knowledge surprises me…
You talking about Goran Juric????
There is jealousy at all levels. It is not unreasonable to think some players would be against Halilovic on the roster. To think its not discussed among themselves is foolsih. I’ve been discussing this ad nauseum for over a year now. So if I’m discussing it, you know the players are talking about it as well. There are some who feel he doesn’t deserve to be on the roster – and his level of play justifies that thinking.
Today’s day and age players are different. Egos and agendas take over. The money is bigger in the game now. the players make more money which allows them to be more vocal or show displeasure when things don’t go the way they want.
Ohhh Ziva, about the half “MUJO”…our captain is half “MUJO” …so tell me, If Halilovic were 100% Croatian, would it make any difference?
The only reason I ever consider Belgium finish above Croatia is because we are capable of self destructing, other than that…Croatia has better quality and plays better as well. Belgium’s leafdership is stroner and more cinsistent, their system is less corrupt and it shows.
You mentioned something about Alen “mujo” Halilovic. Maybe things have changed since back in the years I’ve played but one thing I’ll tell you is this…most players (if they are mature) understand the politics of the sport…ie…Halilovic doesnt belong there today but the potential of losing him to Bosna can be costly if they dont get him in a game…who gives two shits what some players that dont get playing time think anyways…with that said, its not their fucking business…AND…most players wouldn’t dare stiir up shit and they most likely get it…understand he very well could be a future star, I’d give the kid a chance and also ensure my players maintain a professional attitude. Its an honor to be called up to the National Team…trust me, the majority of these guys know that…its part of the soccer culture/etiquette.
Another thing I’ll tell you… this from MY experience as a player from the mid – late 80’s in the former Yugo! Players have respect for their coaches and organization, very few publicly criticize or question and those that do are NOT respected. I played with a member of the 98 World Cup Team…he was the biggest idiot I ever met in my life, he caused a lot of trouble for Mark Viduka at Dinamo and many people have no idea just how much…the guy was a weasel…and people distance themself from him!
if you have sources that say “the older players don’t like the fact that the half mujo Halilovic is in the team”…I’d bet you almost anything that is overexaggerated and BS! Those guys are not that illogical and ignorant to not understand the reasons he is there and if it is true (I highly doubt that) it isnt coming from a significant player…they know that they are in the spotlight and that they have a lot at risk!
um, no……… nobody is texting me anything. What I did say is that I am friends with a former player and I would bet on the team (when he played), many times based on what he was telling me. Today, I still gamble (too much at times), but my source within the team is no longer playing.
I think the Belgium roster is more talented than our roster. When qualifying started I thought Belgium would win the group and we would be fighting for second place.
Ziva – you’re pretty funny…let me understand this, your buddies are texting you inside information for the purpose of what…betting and informing us here….hahaha…???
Regardless of Belgium…who they are, how they look…who’s playing or not. The reason Croatia hasn’t performed isn’t because of the lack of quality players…its the lack of management…the shit strategy, formation and questionable team selection at different times that has screwed the team.
You are talking as if Belgium is better than Croatia, I disagree with you 100%…we are in a crisis with the garbage leadership but we have quality players…some that CAN change the game in a heartbeat…we need the leadership to put the pieces of the puzzle.
Some of these former players are friends with various current players on the repka. So, they are getting some inside knowledge of what is going on.
I read that ticket sales are at 8,500 for the game. Hopefully they remain under 10,000 to create a negative atmosphere for Strucnjak Stimac and Puppet Suker so I can listen to them for their reasoning why they think the public doesn’t want to come out.
I’m a betting man and I still don’t know which way to bet on this game. Belgium is missing key players and only needs a point. Our boys have shown they are unable to create chances and score. I’m leaning for a tie, but not convinced enought o lay done some kuna on the match.
I’m just laughing at all of the former players coming out of the woodwork to bash hns / Mamic etc lol
Riding the bench at Arrogant Mamic/Dinamo International team warrants a call-up to the NT in my book.
So now we have stories coming out there might be some trouble within the camp. the older players don’t like the fact that the half mujo Halilovic is in the team. Well, its about time we starting hearing these type of stories. I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything before. But, most of the guys on the repka are followers, not leaders, so I doubt anything happens. If we had a real captain on this squad they would go up to Strucnjak Stimac and tell him not to bring up the half mujo Halilovic or they would leave the squad. But, we have no leadership. They are all sheep.
I have no clue what will happen on Friday, but the signals are there for a disaster.
Sorry that was me lićan iz toronto.
Alot of you underestimate our team, we have crazy talent on this team just need to be used well, and it wouldn’t hurt if our boys have it their all every match, need heart and a little bit of luck to be successful!
He will not leave Rakitic out of the starting 11. Absolutely 0 chance of that. Even though we have all been dissapointed by his performances lately for the Repka, he is still class. If you play him in the hole instead of the right wing, where he is basically useless, you might get a better performance.
I love you matesic method!!! Well said!
@ Ivica
I like your starting XI as well brother – tactics are spot on – not sure how us common folk can put together nice 11’s, while our fearless leader, Strujnak Stico, continuously fields shit starting 11’s, with at least 2-3 players out of position most of them time.
Perisic starts and like Rakitic bring him off at half time if he is crap. He scored in Brussels and is due for a good match.
Corluka flourishes at RB and will do great .
Vrsaljko is a good move at RM his young legs will be needed to run the flanks and keep their left side occupied.
@ Ivica
Thanks for bringing some common sense to the thread.
Where is your family from in Hrvatska?
Intelligent hrvati are the anti-dote the arrogant dumb asses that are in leadership roles in our community,
Ivica
Perisic doesn’t deserve to start. his form has been average for over 12 months. i would play Olic as a left wing
Apart from the right midfield position i think your team makes a lot of sense.
@ IvicA
To je igrati istina!
The best line up I have seen offered for all of qualifying.
Tactics are spot on.
Well done!
Love the Rakitic placement and potential sub off. Jebi ga play him there and if produces he stays on the pitch and if doesn’t sub him out.
90 minutes !
Our squad and coaches love to me give me headaches all the time hopefully they pull their shit together for the two games get into the playoffs and get through(with luck on our side we draw an easy team and not france) and get to the world cup… Weve been known too cause trouble in big tournaments the only trouble is getting there hopefully our momci come through so I dont have my friends bug me about america making the world cup and croatia not
@ IVICA perfect.
Matesicmethod,bang on brother!!!!
………………Mandzo…………………
……………….Rakitic………………….
Perisic……………………….Vrsaljko
….. ….Kovacic…..Modric………….
Strinic…Lovren…Schifo….Corluka
………………Pletikosa………………..
Key Notes:
– Play Vrsaljko at RM instead of RB (since that is where he is having his success at Genoa this season)
– Corluka has always had success at RB for us. Time to be put him back there.
– Lovren has been a beast for Southampton this year. Time to play him at CB (not at LB) and hope he continues his great form in his favorite position.
– Put Strinic back in LB as he is fully fit and we don’t need to experiment there for now.
– Perisic scored last time against Belgium. Let’s see if the former Belgian player of the year can get it going against them again. If not, have Olic waiting to be substituted in his place.
-Play Rakitic further up behind Mandzo. If he continues to unimpress, then sub him out and move Kovacic further up (where he’s been playing recently for Inter).
Belgium can puse moj Kurac !
I am not interested in all this pizdarija that is being written.
mi smo hrvati?
Intellectual crap conversation.
Line up the talent and let’s teach Belgium a lesson in nogomet.
The best player in the pitch will be Modric.
The best striker will be Mandzukic.
Kovacic can play anywhere on the planet.
Lovren is shutting down EPL clubs.
Rakitic is due for a good one.
The rest of the boys will be ready.
Corluka is a warrior.
Belgium have had a good run against crap teams.
We tied them in Brussels
Our top talent are all in form.
Fair weather pederi can sit this one out. It is now down to the business end of qualifying.
Step up or Step off.
Vatreni !
If Belgium have not proven nothing to you, then our boys sure haven’t. Belgium may not win on Friday, but they are a better side than we are based on what we have watched so far in qualifying.
Belgium have proven nothing to me!
Beat us in Zagreb and I’ll tip my hat to them.
Belgium is a much better side then us at this point
Eurosport.com: Eight-goal Kramaric and Rijeka set Croatian records
http://bit.ly/1e9JS58
http://www.croatiaweek.com/americans-back-in-split-with-better-offer-for-hajduk/.
Only 30 million Euros, Dalmatinci!
And you can sniff Ndamukong Suh’s jock for that too!
Actually, Greece, Iceland, Ukraine, and Hungary are incorrect second-placed points based on your table.
The link provided in the above post and the table at the top of this article is accurate for the second-placed points for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA).
@Anonymous
“btw – how did you list the teams in that table? By order of points?”
http://is.gd/IzxyOy
You have Iceland with 10 second placed points in your table but that is incorrect. They currently have 13 second placed points because they lost to Cyprus in September 2012 therefore there is no reason to do any point deduction on the 13 points they currently have.
Iceland plays Cyprus at home on Friday. “If” Iceland wins, they will have 16 points to keep a lock on second place in Group E, and you would take away the 3 points because Cyprus is the 6th placed team in the group and Iceland would still have 13 second placed points. They finish away to Norway on October 15th.
it also means rthere are 8,000 idiots in Zagreb. Then again, i head Belgium should have a few thousand of their fans show up.
its not about the “few bad results’ but moreso the blatantly poor lineup and formation decisions…he’s using his power as an expirement when he should use expirements during exhibition games.
btw – how did you list the teams in that table? By order of points? If so, I don’t think it’s correct. Once you discount how the teams do against the last place in the group (for everyone except France), I think this is the current order:
France – 14
Greece – 13
Portugal – 11
Croatia – 11
Sweden – 11
Iceland -10
Ukraine -9
Hungary – 8
Bulgaria – 7
Ziva will be happy, seems like only 8000 seats sold thus far.
The only thing that does give me hope for the win against Belgium IS (once again) the fact that we tend to play up(or down) to the level of our competition.
Knowing how good Belgium is doing it may motivate our boys to play up to the competition for the win.
Remember, we were all pretty concerned for the playoff games against Turkey and look how well our boys put on a show in Turkey.
Lets hope for the same
It is funny how after the Belgium draw and good start to our world cup campaign Stimac was being praised for being creative by using youing players like Radosevic and Kovacic. Everyone on this site started to write positive comments about how Stimac got the team to play
A few bad results and all of sudden his a dumb cun again….
Miro where were you reading about the 352? I would LOVE if we played a 451 or 352… our strength is our MF so let’s use it!
its gonna be like watching a dinamo game that crap stadium instead of giving the game to pula or osijek man puppet nice
@ Ziva
http://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/nogomet/reprezentacije/ademi-otpao-za-belgiju-i-skotsku-prodano-samo-8-tisuca-ulaznica—306471.html
Just read that 3-5-2 tacics mr Strucnjak is working at training Pletikosa Vid(Sifo) Carli Lovren-Vrsaljko Strinic-Modric Kovacic/Vukojevic Rakitic Mandzukic Olic.
Pranjic did walk out but, puppet suker thinks if sammir plays platini will call croatians civilized and we have racial harmony. If that son of bitch mamic were in charge these players would have gotten call ups if puppet igor was coach,Ibanez,Chago,Etto,Sammir(long time ago),Morales,Carlos,
These are the little victories that a fan like me roots for…
Am I the only one who’s not scared of France’s team?
Platini is what scares me more than anything.
Honestly though, preventing the French from being in the WC would be so fucking sweet! Probably even better than crushing England’s Euro 2008 dreams.
@Ziva
I believe Pranjic walked off the NT when Sammir got called up
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/pranjic-napusta-reprezentaciju-rekao-sam-da-cu-otici-ako-pozovu-sammira/639201.aspx
Soldo got hammered by Mamic and we never heard from him agian he tryed to bring work ethic to dinamo but Damir didnt listen and got soldo fired.
13 months since Croatia and belgium played alot has changed Belgium have become this hot shot team while Croatias stock has gone down. We were hot but now cooling down. back to that game what has Stimac done.Well last year he benched Corluka Rakitic Eduardo Vukojevic Kranjcar for not being happy with his tactics. Now Corluka is his captain Rakitic playing lights out for club Eduardo is Eduardo,Kranjcar can come in and change the game.Igore igore what are you atleast Bilic stuck with the same lineup time to time this hack,its like hes trying to out tactic himself.Just ask Mandzo against the serbs last month We didnt understand the coaches tactics enough said!
what the hell is Zvonimir Soldo up to? Didn’t he coach in the Bundesliga for a year and leave? Has hee been off the radar since?
I like Niko Kovač, especially since he would instill some discipline and a focus on fitness (which is much needed).
The only thing I fear is his player selection. He seems to really love hard working, tough guy types over finesse talent. I remember once he was commentating and he put together some lineup that included both Vukojević and Dujmović. I was horrified.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPUwz9xs5yU
Heres the 1-1 first game in belgium from 2012 septmeber.
Mamic and Suker pick coaches meaning Stimac for now is their boy but after Stimac it will be N.Kovac.
If we go by former vaterni being coaches Soldo,Prso,Asanovic,Jurcevic,Boksic,Tudor,Jurcic(poor Kruno),Kovac braca,Bjelica,Prso,Rapaic,Prosinecki,Cico,Ivan Juric remember him,Jarni,
@ARMADA
Hey, never say never. Not sure if Pamić is any good as he only has HNL experience (which is more than what Štimac has) but at least Istra is getting some respect around the league despite their lack of talented players. Apparently they would lead the league if the last 15 minutes of every game were omitted, lol.
Besides, he’ll scare the shit out of our NT players if they don’t perform. Not sure about tactics, but I’m sure an occasional Igor Pamić death stare or two and you’ll see Raketa scoring headers on a game by game basis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKEIyCJOve4
If only! Remember this
Igor Pamic? lol That’ll be the day … an Istrian coaching the NT
Guys Stimac is staying for 2016 beacuse for 2016 top 2 go automatic and hes proven we can finish top 2 na zalost. Stimac believes he is better than Bilic.
$250k ain’t bad for pretty much a part time gig. A lot of coaches make that amount. Better than the $60k Bilić made at the start of his campaign.
Now this $250k amount won’t entice a coach like Petković who makes about $600k at Lazio, but Petković is at the top of the list and would be a dream scenario, so it’s understandable that we don’t get him.
But, Hajduk managed to get the previous Lazio coach, Edoardo Reja for half that amount… And Reja was largely responsible for turning what once was a Serie C team in Napoli to a quality Serie A club they are today. Actually, Reja would be a good example of a regional foreign coach who understands Croatian (being ethnically Slovenian himself) that would be a good candidate to interview for the Cro NT gig.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those ppl who blindly wants a foreign coach just for the sake of it. Serbia did this by hiring Javier Clemente, and that was a disaster for them (costing them 400k per year). But Clemente was a bum coach and Serbia didn’t do their due diligence.
I think the next time Cro picks a coach, they just need to reach out to more than one or two guys. You’d be surprised at who could be available. They need to reach out to the Prosinečkis, the Kovačs, the Pamićs, as well as the Petkovićs, the Keks, and the Rejas.
Personally, I’d be down for Matjaž Kek. That dude turns shit into gold.
Sammir was one of the worst call ups in History of croatina football.
the game is on Espn Deportes friday for the croats who live in America can watch on tv not computer.
too bad we didn’t have any players who came out and said they didn’t want the two brazilians or some of the other players we have chased in the past who souldn’t pinpoint hrvatska on the map.
Wilshere today came out and said that he doesnt want that belgian albanian kid because he isnt english! I give Wilshere so much respect for that eventhough hes english. now on the the foreign coach…. you cant be serious and get the fuck outta here if you want a foreign coach. we dont need a foreign coach. theres plenty of coaches from croatia that would do fine. i think we’ve hit the bottom of the barrel with stimac but thats only because of mamic.
so many of you just make me sick to my stomach with your stupidity.
No, you can’t……….Stimac – at best – is making around 200,000 euros per year. That is nothing for a good coach. Good luck getting any type of decent coach for that salary.
@nepoznat
I’m not all for a foreign coach… Just a qualified one. There are very few qualified non-foreign coaches, but there are some. For example, if Petković is pushed out at Lazio, then we have to jump on that. I actually wouldn’t be against a regional foreign coach such as Matjaž Kek. Language won’t be an issue in this case. And If we were to go full foreign, I’m sure ol’ Harry Redknapp would do it (if QPR remains outside the EPL and he has no better options, plus he has a hard on for Kranjčar).
Anyway, my point is that we should at least ‘try’ to do a reasonable search and interview these guys, instead of it being whoever is next on the unemployed former player list regardless of whether they coached a team or not.
Also, You mentioned money being tight, but you forget that they heavily increased the salary of our NT coach now. Bilić used to be paid peanuts when he started. Štimac is paid five times the amount.
Believe it or not, Cro is still a desirable team to coach. We can attract a decent coach with a Štimac level salary. We just need to actually look.
The city of Split is afraid to sell the team. No member of council or mayor wants to be associated with a sale.
Mali i jadan hajduk will for the forseeable future will remain jadan i mali.
Slavonac,I agree brother!!
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/nema-prodaje–hajduk-ostaje-narodni-klub-grad-prebija-dug-kluba-novim-kreditom/705024.aspx
Hajduk is not going to be sold just yet! The city of Split and Hajduk came to another agreement and the city will give Hajduk its last credit. Program (Nas Hajduk) is still looking strong but I don’t know for how long…
@Ivica I would like to see Prosinecki or Kovac because even though us in the diaspora want to see a ‘good’ foreign coach come in, the Hrvati in Croatia don’t and can’t afford one anyways
i basically agree with Slavonac from Canada
I wonder who our next coach is gonna be?
I guess it would probably be Prosinečki once he is released from his contract with Kayserispor after they end up relegated this season.
Rinse and Repeat.
thanks Ante I gave up on writing this article after the poor form in August in September since it seemed so unlikely they could rebound but yes a win on Friday would go a long way towards jumping our way back up, especially know that we know the procedure is the same as last time!
wow we can still dream right?
btw guys for the U17 World Cup, us in the States will have the games broadcast on ESPN3.com (I checked the upcoming calendar)
@ slobberring on Suker and Mamic
the same way I felt about Markovic passing away is the same way I would feel about meeting Mamic and Suker.
Yes, Suker arugably is one of our best players ever and easily the most recognizable and Mamic … well there aren’t too many positives with him other than he holds the title of Chairman of DZG. But both men, especially Suker have done entirely too much which overshadows any positives in their careers. If I literally walked into Suker, I’ll admit it – I’d shake his hand, thank him for what he did for the repka in the late 90’s and be on my way. Suker holds a gol tournament here in NYC and I saw pictures of grown men throwing themselves at him like little girls at a Backstreet Boys concert…
It’s funny – I talk to non Croats and they’ll make comments like – wow, that must be awesome that your best player ever is heading your federation, you guys are probably heading in the right direction – boze, boze if they only knew.
Of course its wishful thinking……..there is not much that can happebn that will force these fuckers out of the savez. Which is fine. It just makes it tougher to get behind the repka and makes it much easier to stomach when we fail. Again, would love to see us in the WC. But, I won’t be heartbroken or feel bad if we dont make it. In fact, I’ll have a good laugh if we fail to make it. These clowns who lead the savez laugh at the fans, so why not laugh back at them.
And here is the kicker…………I’m willing to bet that over 90% of the people who post on this site would be slobberign all over Puppet Suker and Mamic if they ever saw or met them.
@ ziva . i think your plan is wishful thinking. am i not mistaken that the euro 2016 field will be expanded making it very unlikely for croatia to miss the tournament without a truly disastrous perofrmance?
Croatia is very capable of beating Belgium and up until our shit loss to Scotland, we were always considered the favorites. Our players can play, the problem is Stimac pretending to know what he’s doing…if we put in a strong lineup I think we’ll tie or win…we are too inconsistent because of the shit tactics and selection choices…not because we dont have a good team!
Failing to make the WC won’t clean up the savez, at least not right away……….here is how it would play out. Strucnjak Stimac would be gone and then the war of words would begin between Puppet Suker and Strucnjak Stimac, along with Mamic’s comments. Puppet Suker would get a free pass because it was his first hire. A true clean up of the savez would only take place if we also fail to make Euro 2016.
I’m into interesting storylines……Imagine if we lose on Friday and whatever fans are there (another question is why they are there in the first place) boo the shit out of the team…..then these guys begin to really feel the pressure because a loss in Scotland could actually knock them out of the playoffs. I would love to see the build up going into that game and the spin that would be coming out of the savez and coaching staff.
I think it’ll finish 1-1 vs. Belgium and we’ll take care of business vs. the Scots and make the playoffs.
Agreed Iggy! We’ll see our guys in Brazil. Even though I feel Stimac is the reason for all the recent negativity surrounding the repka, our players are still quality and we will not miss out on brazil. Ajmo Hrvatska.
My prediction is a 2-0 win and a comfortable one at that.
And then all you pessimistic fuckers (which i must admit basically just means you’re a croat, lol) will have to eat your words carrying on about belgium as tho they are brazil. Fuck my fat tits give it a rest. We will win 100% Iggy guarantee !
One game at a time boys. A loss against Belgium isn’t the end of the world. Depending on other results, chances are that Croatia would need three points in Glasgow to qualify for the playoffs. What more could Scotland ask for then to knock out Croatia with a win on the final day of qualifiers. Scotland will be hungry, have nothing to play for and are in front of their home fans. It wont be an easy game.
Lets see what happens Friday. My heart says 1-1, my brain says 2-1 Belgium
“But then again, would missing two straight World Cups finally get the HNS and staff cleaned up?”
I think this is the essence of the argument over these threads, isn’t it? For some reason Ziva seems to have convinced himself of the equation,
Failure to make wc = HNS cleanup
Make wc = HNS status quo subsists
But is that really so ? It is kinda hard to see anything changing at all for.. a long time tbh with you.. so if everything else is equal and there’s no diff between qualy or not qualy in terms of political outcomes, how can u not support the team ? Hard to digest i think !
good article… lets hope for an iceland or something… nothing that its guaranteed but shit playing france, call it a day, we won’t get any calls