On Monday, Croatia advanced into the quarter finals after a penalty shootout win. The game itself was a tough affair with both sides creating a number of chances. Croatia controlled the game at a slow pace but Japan took the lead with Daizen Maeda just before half-time. A short corner which was knocked down by Yoshida, with Maeda waiting for the scraps. Croatia replied after half-time with an Ivan Perisic thumping header from a under hit Dejan Lovern cross which was in favour for the Tottenham star.
Croatia and Japan couldn't break the dead lock in 90 minutes. Croatia now sat in a common and somewhat comfortable situation. Croatia have the best record in World Cup games that have gone to extra time or penalties, progressing from every tie that's gone past the 90, with all of them coming from the 2018 World Cup. Extra time saw Japan sit back trying to hit Croatia on the counter but couldn’t deliver any clear-cut chances.
Daunting Penalties it was, and it saw Croatia without Perisic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Krameric for the shootout as they were previously subbed off. But without some of their big names, Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stepped up, saving all three penalties he faced. Brozovic, Vlasic and Pasalic all dispatched their penalties to send the Checkered Ones into a quarter final tie with favourites Brazil.
Speaking with Croatian, Max Ramic, he shared his opinions on Josko Gvardiol, Luka Modric and the current and previous World Cup.
Croatia finds themselves yet to lose in 90 minutes this tournament but only winning once, when they dispatched 4 past Canada. They have also only scored 5 and conceded 2 with Josko Gvardiol being the stand out player within the Croatian defence. Max Ramic commented on the 20-year-old super star saying: “He (Gvardiol) has been one of the best players for Croatia at this World Cup showing he can compete with the World's top forwards.”
Max Ramic commented on his emotions during this World Cup as 'tense' and he felt Croatia needed to 'create more chances' in order to stand a chance against Brazil. Brazil have looked like the best side at this World Cup and looking at previous results against Croatia they show Brazil shouldn’t struggle on Friday.
Croatia wants to repeat 2018 success this tournament and Max Ramic spoke to us about the feeling in the country during the World Cup, "Being such a small country on this big stage, is an achievement itself but 2018 was something we dreamed of.”
With this looking like many big-name last World Cup due to age, Max Ramic said losing Modric is a 'big upset' but feels ‘very proud’ of what he has done and stating Modric is ‘the best player’ to ever come out of his home nation. He added, “I feel Luka Modric can take it one step further this time around and deserves a World Cup medal to add to his collection.”
Croatia play Brazil on Friday looking to upset the favourites, with no injury news Zlatko Dalic, the Croatia manager, will have a full-strength Croatian side looking to advance to the semis for the third time in their history.
Will Croatia upset Brazil?
0%Of course!!!
0%Another penalty shootout?
0%NOT A CHANCE!!!
By Baily Shorter
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