MATCH 20 – Croatian Victory ‘Song’

MATCH 20  – GROUP A

CAMEROON        0-4          CROATIA

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Goals

CRO: Olic 11′, Perisic 48′, Mandzukic 61′, 73′;

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Red Cards

CMR: Song 40′;

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Venue : Arena Amazonia, Manaus

Referee : Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

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Both teams came into this match having lost their opening games. Both needed a positive result in this match badly. After some brilliant attacking play, a shocking dismissal and poor defending, Croatia emerged emphatic winners. Let us see how the drama unfolded.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Cameroon: Itandje, Mbia, Chedjou (Nounkeu 46), N’Koulou, Assou-Ekotto, Song, Matip, Enoh, Choupo-Moting, Aboubakar (Webo 70), Moukandjo (Salli 75).
(Manager: Volker Finke)

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Pranjic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic (Rebic 78), Sammir (Kovacic 70), Olic (Eduardo 69), Mandzukic.
(Manager: Niko Kovac)

THE MATCH

The match started with Cameroon on the front foot. They had a couple of quick fire half chances in the opening 10 minutes, but failed to convert any. They paid the price for it soon as in the 11th minute, Croatia took the lead against the run of play. A dangerous cross from captain Srna from the right fell straight to Perisic on the edge of the box and he dissected the defence with a perfect pass to the back post, where veteran Olic came rushing in to thump home.

Olic – Bundling it home.
Cameroon 0-1 Croatia.

The rest of the first half went on without any major chances. The Cameroon central midfield of Song and Matip were able to keep the dangerous duo Modric and Rakitic quiet for most periods in the first half. Then, in the 40th minute, Alex Song produced a moment of madness. He delivered a vicious blow with his elbow onto the back of striker Mandzukic for no apparent reason. The incident happened right in line of the referee’s view. Song didn’t even complain. Red Card. Its a shame that players with such quality and experience are not able to keep their heads. It was all downhill from there for Cameroon.

Song of Shame.

The effect of the dismissal was obvious. The Croatian midfield found space easy to come by and soon pressed their domination on the game. The Cameroon coach brought on defender Nounkeu to cover for Song’s absence, but all he could do was watch as Perisic ran past him in the 48th minute down the left flank. Perisic continued his lung bursting run brilliantly and didn’t stop until the ball was in the back of the net. No way back for Cameroon now.

Perisic – Lung Burster.
Cameroon 0-2 Croatia.

Their star striker Mandzukic who had missed the first game against Brazil due to suspension was being frustrated at not having found the net yet, But he redeemed himself in style. Two goals in 12 minutes for him put Croatia far and beyond reach. The first of those came after he was given a second chance. After being put through on goal, Mandzukic couldn’t find the gap around the keeper and his shot was saved and went for a corner. But he had his revenge immediately as he rose high from the corner to head past the keeper. The rock-hard head of his has started doing its business.

Mandzukic (not in pic) finally heading home.
Cameroon 0-3 Croatia.

Croatia brought on fresh legs in attack after that, with Kovacic and Eduardo coming in. And what a brilliant move that was by the manager, as the two substitutes combined to provide Mandzukic his second goal of the night. Kovacic cut the ball back to Eduardo, whose shot was parried away by the keeper, only to find the feet of the giant striker, who had the easiest tap-ins of his life. That’s the icing on the cake of an emphatic victory.

Mandzukic – Easy Peasy.
Cameroon 0-4 Croatia.

 

Man Of The Match : Ivan Perisic

CONCLUSION

This means that Croatia will need to beat Mexico in the last game to qualify for the next stage. It will be difficult to penetrate the tough Mexican defence, but with a 4-goal haul here, anything is possible. Confidence is high in the Croatia camp.

And its the complete opposite over at the African team’s camp. Cameroon are offcially out of the tournament. Losing to both Mexico and Croatia without scoring a goal and conceding 5, with Brazil left to play and being without iconic players Eto’o and Song, everything is just going wrong for them.

MATCH 1 – Test One – Pass

MATCH 1  – GROUP A

   BRAZIL         3-1          CROATIA 

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Goals-

BRA : Neymar 29′, 71′(P), Oscar 90′;

CRO: Marcelo 11′(OG);

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Venue : Arena Corinthians, São Paulo

Referee : Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

Arena Corinthians – Pumped for the Opener.

Yes, folks. Believe it or not, the World Cup has truly begun. Fans all over the world turned their eyes to Brazil yesterday and it will stay fixed there for the next full month. I can’t truly put my excitement into words and do justice to it. The biggest carnival on Earth has begun. The evening started with a grand Opening Ceremony with one of the most colourful displays of entertainment I’ve ever seen. If there’s two things Brazilians are good at – that’d be Entertainment and Football. By the end of the night, they had proved both, but the latter was a bit more difficult than what they would have expected. Let’s get straight to the action!

This is Match No 1 of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Woo Hoo!

 

TEAM LINE-UPS

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho (Hernanes 63), Gustavo, Hulk (Bernard 68), Oscar, Neymar (Ramires 88), Fred.
(Manager : Luis Felipe Scolari)

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic (Brozovic 61), Olic, Jelavic (Rebic 78).
(Manager : Niko Kovac)

No big surprises in the two line-ups. Brazil started with the same side that won them the Confederations Cup. In the absence of suspended star striker Mario Mandzukic, Nikica Jelavic was tasked with getting the goals up front for the Croats.

 

THE GAME

With the world watching, the favorites have taken their first step towards that coveted prize. Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Croatia, much to the utter delight of the thousands at the stadium and a million others in Brazil. Seemingly a comfortable win for the hosts, the real story was far from it. It might not have been the best match in terms of quality, but it had no lack of drama. Comic own goals, soft penalties, disallowed goals – the match had it all. In the end, the one person on the field who got the most attention after the game wasn’t goalscorers Neymar or Oscar, it was the referee Nishimura. With plenty of controversial moments in the match, with almost all favouring the hosts, the match left everyone (apart from Brazil fans of-course!) in a sour mood. Not a good start for the officials’ reputations. But Brazil will take it. They needed this victory and they have it.

But it didn’t quite start well for the host nation. After 11 minutes into the game, the carnivals in Brazil came to a stop with a sudden stunned silence. The first goal of the FIFA World Cup 2014 had been scored and although it was a Brazilian who put it in, it unfortunately happened to be the wrong goalpost. Croatia had been threatening to score a couple of times in the opening minutes, with a shot by Kovacic and header by Olic going wide. But, Olic was finally able to lose his marker Dani Alves, and whip a cross in. It came to the striker Nikca Jelavic in an awkward position, so he could only scuff the shot, but to his delight, the ball found the feet of a completely surprised and clueless Marcelo, who could only watch in despair as the ball went into the net. Brazilians  in shock. Croats in joy. The World Cup has made its first mark.

Marcelo turns the ball into his own net.
Brazil 0-1 Croatia

But Brazil had nearly 80 minutes to get back in the game and hopes of a comeback were still high. Brazil kept threatening, but never could get passed the solid Croatian defence. Then, the referee came into the picture. Starting off with a potential sending off for Brazil’s star man Neymar when he poked a forearm at Modric’s face in the 27th minute. Although he got a yellow card, it could’ve easily been a different colour. Maybe Nishimura feared for his life. Sending off Neymar in the first game within the first half an hour couldn’t have done much good to his reputation with the locals. Anyways, the result was, a rejuvenated Neymar and Brazil. 2 minutes after the booking, Neymar managed to find some space outside the box, after brilliant work by Oscar on the right, and he took a shot at goal with his weaker left foot. Yes, a weak shot it was, but it was aimed at the bottom right corner with perfect precision that it crawled its way past the goal line, with a fallen Pletikosa left bewildered. He really should have done better with the shot and he knows it. Brazil have their equaliser. 1-1. Game on.

Neymar’s long and grounded shot found its way in.
Brazil 1-1 Croatia

The game went for long without any clear chances for either team, although both teams were looking dangerous, the hosts in particular. But, with 20 minutes left to play, once again, the referee intervenes. Oscar, once again, managed to find a pass to Fred in the box who had Lovren right behind him and as the ball came to him, Lovren was trying to jostle for the ball, when Fred fell to the ground dramatically. Whistle blows. Its a penalty. Replays showed that there was hardly any contact and Lovren didn’t do anything any other defender in the world wouldn’t do. Anyways, up stepped the man of the moment, Neymar. With a stop start run-up, he blasts it to the left. The goalkeeper Pletikosa got a hand to it, but couldn’t stop it from going in the net. Once again, Pletikosa would feel he could’ve saved it. The Croatians felt terrible. All their hardwork, undone. Brazil lead 2-1.

Neymar dispatches the penalty.
Brazil 2-1 Croatia

It was always difficult from then on, with Brazil putting men behind the ball. Croatia kept pressing nevertheless. Then, again with nearly 7 minutes to go, a cross comes in and Olic and the Brazilian goalkeeper Cesar jump for the ball and collide and the ball comes off the collision to a Croat but the whistle blows for a foul. Again, replays showed that it was no foul at all. Another gift to the Brazilians by Mr. Nishimura.

Then, going into injury time, the hosts laid the icing on the cake. A through ball found Oscar, who had been brilliant all night, with 2 defenders along. The Croatians had committed too many men forward and Oscar took a run, found some space, took a shot and it beat Pletikosa on his near post. Nobody deserved a goal that night more than he did. Brazil 3-1. All done.

Man Of The Match : Oscar

Oscar after rounding off a great victory with the third goal.
Brazil 3-1 Croatia

CONCLUSION

Tough luck Croatia! I feel bad for them. They played really well for most of the game. They would feel cheated of a point by the referee. They might want to look into a better goalkeeper, though.

As for the hosts, they have taken a big step towards glory. They have started off with a win and confidence must be soaring in the dressing room. Although the match was ugly, and will always be remembered for the referee’s decisions, they’ll take it. The Brazil fans want that trophy so badly, I’m sure they wouldn’t care how they do it. Exciting times ahead for the public.

Test 1 – Pass.

GROUP A – All Eyes on the Hosts

Group A

Brazil

Croatia

Mexico

Cameroon

 

An Outlook

Group A will kick things off at this World Cup, with tournament favorites Brazil taking on the Croats. This promises to be quite an interesting group, because it will give us an idea if Brazil can live up the ‘favorites’ tag. Although the hosts are expected to cruise through, the remaining spot is up for grabs. Croatia look most likely to grab that spot, but its never that easy, isn’t it?

Lets take a look at how each of these teams have shaped up, with analysis strengths, weaknesses and whom to watch out for.

Here’s Team Previews Set 1.

 

 

BRAZIL

 

Nickname: Seleção (The Selected)

The most successful team in the competition’s history. A country whose history is packed with some of the greatest players ever to have played the game. A team whose style of play is matched by no other. Pace, power, control, elegance, passion – these words epitomize Brazilian football. And this year, they play in their own backyard. Few would argue that they are the team to beat to win this World Cup.

 

Luiz Felipe Scolari – You just don’t want to be at the end of that look.

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

The fiery Brazilian is no stranger to the World Cup. Having already led Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup and getting Portugal into the last four at Germany 2006, Scolari boasts a wealth of experience very few can match. Yes, he did suffer The Abramovich Axe at Chelsea, but ‘Big Phil’ is back to his favorite stage, and is ready to face the storm.

Best World Cup Performance

Champions : 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Runners Up : 2 (1950, 1998)

The Team

In my opinion, their greatest asset at this World Cup would be their defence. The center-back combination of Thiago Silva, who for me is the closest anyone is today to being the ideal defender, and David Luiz, the versatile and crazy one, is definitely going to take some magic to beat. Brazil have always been known for their overlapping wing-backs who find themselves largely in the opposition half than their own. In fact, the Brazilians were the ones who brought in the concept of a wing-back. The legendary combination of Carlos and Cafu dangerously charging down the wings at the 2002 World Cup is almost equally replicated now through the Real Madrid-Barcelona duo Marcelo and Alves.

Their midfield for me is their weak link. Brazil employs a 4-3-3 formation with 3 central midfield positions and no orthodox wingers. Among the 7 players chosen by Scolari for these 3 positions, Fernandinho, who won the English Premier League with Manchester City, is the only player to have won a title this season. All the others are coming off largely disappointing seasons. The Chelsea trio of Ramires, Willian and Oscar, although brilliant at times this season, have failed to capture that form consistently. If there’s one area where Brazil could be beat, is in midfield.

As we move to the forwards, there’s that one name that stands out. Brazil’s biggest icon today, the poster boy for the World Cup, Neymar. The Barcelona man is all set to dazzle the world with his exquisite skills and is widely touted to be the star of the tournament. He’s gifted in the art of faking (in all meanings of the word). Along with the powerful duo of Hulk and Fred, Neymar and co are all set to blast their way to glory.

Neymar – Leading the hosts’ charge from the front.

Brazil Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell, Thiago Silva (both Paris St Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli)

Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires, Willian, Oscar (all Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (VfL Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).

 

 

CROATIA

 

Nickname: Kockasti (The Chequered Ones)

After the huge disappointment of not having qualified for the previous World Cup in 2010, Croatia would be raring to go at this edition. Boasting many big names in the team, they are more than capable of causing an upset or two. They are favorites to qualify from the group behind hosts Brazil.

Niko Kovac – The Newbie.

Manager: Niko Kovac

Just recently retired from his playing career in 2009, Niko Kovac is a total newcomer in the coaching world. He retired as Croatia’s oldest player, having captained them in both the 2006 World Cup and Euro ’08. But, coaching the national side at a World Cup is a huge task. Compared to Big Phil above, Niko is just a kid. Quite a lot of pressure on the chap, but let’s hope he can unleash the ‘ic’s.

Best World Cup Performance

Third Place : 1998

 The Team

There are 10 players in the squad whose names don’t end in ‘ic’. I think that has to be a Croatian record! Anyways, this squad boasts a few big names from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. In my opinion, Croatia’s strongest area is their central midfield, with the magnificent duo of Luka Modric, who is fresh off a Champions League winning campaign, and Ivan Rakitic, who won the Europa League Player of the Tournament during Sevilla’s successful campaign. The former especially, is one of the finest playmakers today and has become a regular fixture in the Real Madrid squad.

Leading the attack is the first choice striker for German giants Bayern Munich for the past couple of years, Mario Mandzukic, who seems to have a head made more of rock than brains. At the back, one of the best signings of this season in the English Premier League, Dejan Lovren of Southampton, sits rock solid, providing the team a good balance. This is a squad that is indeed capable of raising a few eyebrows.

Luka Modric – Pulling all the Strings.

Croatia Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb).

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld, Danijel Pranjic (both Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa).

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Sammir (Getafe), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka).

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina).

 

 

MEXICO

 

Nickname: Los Manitos (The Little Hands)

Some say the although Mexico is in North America and not South America, the Mexicans have the touch and talent that is equal of a Brazilian or an Argentinian. Sadly enough, they haven’t been able to prove that much. It will quite be a tough task qualifying from this group, let alone go further. They’ve always been a country with more historical importance than actual performances, like being part of the first ever World Cup match, the first country to host two World Cups etc. Maybe they can turn the tables this time.

Manager: Miguel Herrera

Miguel Herrera

After I read about him, I understood that this is guy who is as Mexican as Mexican goes. Played and managed entirely in the Mexican League for various clubs and here he is, off to Brazil. He has quite a difficult job ahead of him and so, since I don’t know him much, I’ll just say, Good Luck Mr. Herrera!

Best World Cup Performance

Quarter-Finals : 2 (1970, 1986)

The Team

The Mexican squad just has 8 players plying their trade in Europe as Herrera has opted for a largely domestic based squad. So, most of them are unknown to the rest of the world. The key names that stand out are Manchester United’s super sub Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, and former Tottenham and Barcelona forward Giovanni Dos Santos, who will be leading the attack for the Mexicans. Also the presence of veteran defender Rafael Marquez, who boasts a wealth of experience at the highest level will be beneficial to the team’s confidence.

Chicharito will be spearheading the Mexican Wave.

Mexico Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)

Defenders: Miguel Layun (America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres), Paul Aguilar (America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America), Diego Reyes (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Leon).

Midfielders: Miguel Angel Ponce (Toluca), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Javier Aquino (Villarreal), Hector Herrera (Porto), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Carlos Pena (Leon).

Forwards: Oribe Peralta (Santos), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Raul Jimenez (America), Alan Pulido (Tigres).

 

 

CAMEROON

 

Nickname: Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions)

They remain Africa’s most successful team in World Cups, having played in the most tournaments and most matches than any other in the continent. They’ll be perhaps mostly remembered for their exploits at the 1990 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals with the incensed 38-year old Roger Milla taking the world by shock with both his goals and his dancing. They have been gifted with some of the best talents in Africa over the years and although they’re not among the favorites to qualify from the group, they will definitely have a strong say in who will.

Volker Finke

Manager: Volker Finke

Finke is a German veteran who has been in management for nearly 40 years now. Although he isn’t that well known, he has huge experience in managing, not just in Germany, but in Asia and now, Africa. His experience will be key as Cameroon hope to mount a surprise charge in Group A.

Best World Cup Performance

Quarter-Finals : 1990

The Team

The Cameroon squad has quite a number of players playing in the top European leagues. One of the big names to look out for is former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea veteran forward, Samuel Eto’o, who is arguably the best African player in the past decade, having won the African Player of the Year Award a record 4 times. He will be out to prove his critic(s) that he is not that old. Another big name is former Arsenal and current Barcelona midfielder Alex Song. With many such talents, Cameroon will hope to lead Africa’s charge in Brazil.

Samuel Eto’o – Still a young man.

Cameroon Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Sammy Ndjock (Fetihespor), Loic Feudjou (Coton Sport)

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille), Henri Bedimo (Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Joel Matip (Schalke), Stephane Mbia (QPR), Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux), Alex Song (Barcelona), Edgar Salli (Lens)

Forwards: Samuel Eto’o (unattached), Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem).