Brazil v Croatia Matchthread

[Mr Pink]

Croatia deserved at least a draw, completely robbed. One of the most disgusting decisions I've seen.

Brazil being 3/1 to win the world cup is a joke as well, not a chance they'll win it.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

Any truth in the rumour that the ref's wife is Brazilian????

 

[Lufti]

"A bit crap" that was abject at best.

Sorry that was a bung every day of the week - I used to believe as you did, but nights like last night defy that. That was rotten to the core.

What exactly did he do wrong? For the penalty, maybe he should have kept it out, but if he's bribed, surely he goes the wrong way or does that thing where they stay in the middle and act like they couldn't have got to it (see Friedel). The third goal was just bad anticipation in my book. Ofc there's a possibility that he was bribed, but I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt. If anyone was crooked in that match yesterday it was the ref

 

[Shadydan]

"A bit crap" that was abject at best.

Sorry that was a bung every day of the week - I used to believe as you did, but nights like last night defy that. That was rotten to the core.

It's very hard to judge goalkeeping performances to actually tell if the goalie is throwing the game, and that performance last night didn't look like he was attempting to throw the game, he just looked rubbish.

Goalies dropping the ball, flapping at crosses and leaving the goal empty ala Martin Fulop well yeah that arouses suspicion but last nights game no sorry not for me.

 

[tobi]

Some are taking this way too far, it was an awful decision and Pletikosa should have saved the third goal but screaming corruption based on that is silly.

Those two things happen on a weekly basis across Europe during every season.

Croatia had chances and didn't take them, maybe they'll from it.

Brazil are united but their not a team, there is no fluidity in their play at all, also Hulk and Paulinho shouldn't be starting over their other options.

 

[SteveH]

What exactly did he do wrong? For the penalty, maybe he should have kept it out, but if he's bribed, surely he goes the wrong way or does that thing where they stay in the middle and act like they couldn't have got to it (see Friedel). The third goal was just bad anticipation in my book. Ofc there's a possibility that he was bribed, but I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt. If anyone was crooked in that match yesterday it was the ref

Agreed

It could all be sheer bloody incompetence! But with Blatter's and FIFA's involvement one could be very easily become conspiratorial.

I'm just a grumpy old git this morning, who has sat and watched 13 world cups and games like yesterdays leave me fuming!

 

[DFF]

Another one for the conspiracy theorists. Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population in the world outside of Japan.

 

[DuDe]

If Brazil had lost last night ...

Look at the team colours. Irony.

 

[DuDe]

I'm just a grumpy old git this morning, who has sat and watched 13 world cups and games like yesterdays leave me fuming!

As silly as it may sound I was restless for the rest of the night and couldn't go to bed until 3am, so I can totally relate.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Rather than bribery etc, it's enough that:

a) The referee was weak, and easily pressured.

b) Pletikosa is just shit.

 

[Shanks]

Rather than bribery etc, it's enough that:

a) The referee was weak, and easily pressured.

b) Pletikosa is just shit.

This to be fair.

Referee had a shocker.
So did Pletikosa.

 

[SteveH]

As silly as it may sound I was restless for the rest of the night and couldn't go to bed until 3am, so I can totally relate.

Slept like baby - woke up grumpy - OK now ...........Helped by Joe Root

 

[Dinpomp]

Still upset, but some quick points/thoughts (from a perhaps biased view, but ok):

- Never a pen (obviously!), and never a foul (Olic-Cesar).
- Full credit to Kovac for "going for it" and fielding a side without a defensive midfielder (against BRAZIL!). Brave. Maybe not the smartest decision, but I can live with that.
- We showed too much respect at times. Should have done more with the ball and kept it longer. When we actually pushed forward we looked dangerous.
- Pletikosa should have saved all 3 goals. Difficult to "blame" him for not saving a penalty, but if you actually get your hands there, you have to be stronger. He's been in good form this season and it's unfair to judge him on this one game alone (like many are doing). But in this ONE game, he was quite poor. Not a good time for it. You just cannot allow those two long range efforts to go in. You can live with wonder-strikes, but not balls that bounce 4-5 times before they reach the goal.
- Kovacic looked a bit overwhelmed and that is disappointing. Modric-Rakitic-Kovacic was our chance. I'm sure he'll get it going, but he definitely wasn't at his best.
- Vrsaljko eased any fears about his ability to adjust to playing left back.
- Mandzukic should/will make a difference.

 

[riggi]

Another one for the conspiracy theorists. Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population in the world outside of Japan.

...and Nazi war criminals, o hang on that's Argentina.

 

[Dinpomp]

Lovren and Corluka on the game and referee. Both comment on how the referee doesn't speak English:

http://audioboo.fm/boos/2250342-dejan-lovren-on-croatia-s-defeat-by-brazil

https://audioboo.fm/boos/2250349-vedran-corluka-on-croatia-s-defeat-by-brazil

 

[felmani26]

Still upset, but some quick points/thoughts (from a perhaps biased view, but ok):

- Never a pen (obviously!), and never a foul (Olic-Cesar).
- Full credit to Kovac for "going for it" and fielding a side without a defensive midfielder (against BRAZIL!). Brave. Maybe not the smartest decision, but I can live with that.
- We showed too much respect at times. Should have done more with the ball and kept it longer. When we actually pushed forward we looked dangerous.
- Pletikosa should have saved all 3 goals. Difficult to "blame" him for not saving a penalty, but if you actually get your hands there, you have to be stronger. He's been in good form this season and it's unfair to judge him on this one game alone (like many are doing). But in this ONE game, he was quite poor. Not a good time for it. You just cannot allow those two long range efforts to go in. You can live with wonder-strikes, but not balls that bounce 4-5 times before they reach the goal.
- Kovacic looked a bit overwhelmed and that is disappointing. Modric-Rakitic-Kovacic was our chance. I'm sure he'll get it going, but he definitely wasn't at his best.
- Vrsaljko eased any fears about his ability to adjust to playing left back.
- Mandzukic should/will make a difference.

Really liked the look of Vrsaljko actually and would be a great upgrade on Naughton in being adept playing left or right fullback.

 

[beats1]

Still upset, but some quick points/thoughts (from a perhaps biased view, but ok):

- Never a pen (obviously!), and never a foul (Olic-Cesar).
- Full credit to Kovac for "going for it" and fielding a side without a defensive midfielder (against BRAZIL!). Brave. Maybe not the smartest decision, but I can live with that.
- We showed too much respect at times. Should have done more with the ball and kept it longer. When we actually pushed forward we looked dangerous.
- Pletikosa should have saved all 3 goals. Difficult to "blame" him for not saving a penalty, but if you actually get your hands there, you have to be stronger. He's been in good form this season and it's unfair to judge him on this one game alone (like many are doing). But in this ONE game, he was quite poor. Not a good time for it. You just cannot allow those two long range efforts to go in. You can live with wonder-strikes, but not balls that bounce 4-5 times before they reach the goal.
- Kovacic looked a bit overwhelmed and that is disappointing. Modric-Rakitic-Kovacic was our chance. I'm sure he'll get it going, but he definitely wasn't at his best.
- Vrsaljko eased any fears about his ability to adjust to playing left back.
- Mandzukic should/will make a difference.

Didn't Van Gaal use Pranjic as DM. If he could do it well that maybe the route to go down or Vukojevic

 

[Dinpomp]

Really liked the look of Vrsaljko actually and would be a great upgrade on Naughton in being adept playing left or right fullback.

Heavily linked with Fiorentina and Inter in the Italian media.

 

[Dinpomp]

Didn't Van Gaal use Pranjic as DM. If he could do it well that maybe the route to go down or Vukojevic

He did use Pranjic a CM/"DM" (and also LB), but regardless of his position on the field or the name that comes with it, he's not really a DM. A versatile player who was likely going to be the starting LB this tournament before his injury. He's stayed with the squad and might be available for the next two matches. That injury, for me, was a blessing in disguise as I feel more confident with Vrsaljko back there (especially against better opposition).

It's funny that Kovac prefers to play without a DM, considering that was his position as a player. When he took over, one of the first things he said was that he doesn't like formations with "2 DM's" and that he'd play with 1 at most. He wasn't kidding.

 

[Dinpomp]

Here are some excerpts of an interview he (Thiago Silva) gave, courtesy of Selecao Brasileira on Twitter:

“Croatian coach saying it’s not a penalty? Then go tell him that if you remove the penalty, the score stays 2-1 for Brazil. With or without the penalty, Brazil would have won the game. I’m sure. I won’t reply to bitter people making excuses.”

He added: “Penalty or no? If the Croatians have a problem with it, it’s their problem, not mine. I’m concentrated on Mexico game. Instead of Croatia coach moaning on ref, he should check his tactical deficit. He was busy marking players, and left Neymar alone.”



OK Thiago!

What about the disallowed goal? Would that make it 2-2?