Croatia Underestimated?

the first thing i want to say is that Australia has a very good soccer team. I think a lot of countries underestimate this team and they could prove to be the “spoiler” of the tournament as Croatia was considered in 98 and finished in third. With that said let me respond to some of the comments made about Australia having a difficult road to the World Cup. The Oceana Regional is bar far the weakest league in the world. Here are the world rankings of the teams in this regional: New Zealand #118, Fiji #142, Solomon Islands #144, Tahiti #145, Vanuatu #147, Paua New Guinea #168, Samoa #183, Tonga #187, New Caledonia #188, and at the very bottom of FIFA’s world rankings American Soma #205. Yes, Australia did beat Uruguay to make it to the Cup and that’s saying something for the quality of their team, but bottom line is they have to play some of the worst soccer countries in the world, far worst than any team Croatia had to play to qualify. This tournament is not won or lost in the opening game of the tournament. Italy lost game 1 of the 1994 world cup and went on to finish as runner’s up. Czech republic burned the USA 3-0 in game 1 and lost game 2 to Ghana 2-0. And keep in mind Australia’s next opponent: BRAZIL. Winner’s of 5 world Cups, twice the runner’s up, twice finishing in 3rd and once with a 4th place finish. They have made it to the semifinals in 10 of the 17 world cups including making it to the last 3 world cup finals. This is the best soccer country in the world then, now, and will continue to be. Whether Brazil had a poor showing or Croatia played brilliantly or a combination of both, bottom line is BRazil still one and has the strength and depth to beat any team in the world. They are one of 3 teams and the only team to boast 2 fifa world players of the year: Ronaldo, who despite his poor preformance in game 1 is still a dangerous striker that averaged more than a goal per game for the winniest soccer francise in history, Real Madrid and is a 2-time FIFA world player of the year. They also boast Ronaldinho, the current and back to back winner of the fifa world player of the year and led his club team to the champions league title. TO BE CONTINUED with more space….

Posted from  United States

In the game against Croatia, Ronaldinho still managed to elude defenders and show why he is the FIFA world player of the year. And with a team like Brazil, all it takes is one goal and one chance to punish teams. Can the Aussies beat Brazil? Without a doubt yes, but it will take a perfect game to beat them as with any team in this tournament. As well as Croatia played in game 1 they still weren’t able to beat Brazil. It doesn’t matter how you start the tournament, but how you finish it. Brazil is a team that will NOT show up flat two games in a row. They will be ready to play. This is a team who has won 8 consecutive world cup matches. Records and streaks are meant to be broken and I will be rooting for the socceroos, but I admit it will be tough. Japan is also a team not to underestimate. They are the #18 ranked team in the world and it takes more than just luck to beat a team ranked in the top 20 by a margin of 3 goals to 1…although, every team needs a little luck to make it to the round of 16. But this Croatian team is strong too and can do plenty of damage themselves. There isn’t a team in this world cup who didn’t win big games to make it here. According to one comment in this blog, Croatia isn’t good since Yugoslavia broke up…well, they did finish 3rd in 1998 and if you look at all the players starting for and playing for other nations who were born or who have parents from Croatia it is pretty staggering. And I don’t think it’s a matter of Australia being “the new kind on the block” but rather they haven’t proven themselves consistently on the world’s biggest stage: the World Cup. And, unfortunately, one win doesn’t prove anything. And the fact that the Australians do have players that play in Europe shows the talent they have on their roster. But you don’t need to play in Europe to have a great game or great World Cup. i.e. Angola’s goalkeeper and man of the match against Mexico and held Portugal to just one goal, Joao Ricardo who has no club team. There are still 2 games left in group F and possibly 6 more games, if one reaches the final, and nothing is written in stone as of yet. Let’s take this one game at a time and see where we are after tomorrow’s games. This group will probably be decided in the final game between Croatia and Australia: two very good teams that have the capability to wreak havoc on any team in this world cup.

Posted from  United States

Tito, Of course there is respect and it doesnt matter what team but what I was saying is that Australia was qualified the 2nd after 34 years and they are so happy to be participating at WC. Here is a advise, Togo, Angola, T&T. Do you really think those teams will make it to the quarter finals or whatever? Heck no, They are just glad to play once in their life time for their team in the WC. A good example a player from TOGO is playing in Germany in the last league LOL (Then I would be professional since i play in much a better league) and this guy is soo glad to be there and thats it…that is what i meant by saying that those teams are just happy to be there. Then I definetaly have to agree to Gianni and when I see people posting here names from Australia players who even dont play for their team and say Wow we have a great team…come one! Look at Croatia players where the play and what kind of role they have in their team. Every year CL, UEFA CUP and that is very important for performing. I really wish from my heart that Croatia and Australia goes to the 2nd round but that is not possible because Brazil will be going with one of us. We can be proud how we played against Brazil and if we play against Japan and Australia the samw way there is now fear to lose. GO GO GO GO !

Posted from  Austria

You’re right, there certainly is now fear to lose.

Posted from  Australia

First & foremost good luck to Aussies (they will need it against Brazil)!
Just a quick remark to regards to the Croatian-Aussie players:

Dan how about Josip SKOKO?
You say “They aren’t yours simply because you share a common heritage with them”. Maybe if you have done any background check you would see the guy had lived and played in Split, Croatia for 5 years!!
And Mark Viduka??? He lived in Zagreb and played for Dinamo for 4 years!!
So apart from the heritage these guys has something more in common with Croatia…:)

Posted from  New Zealand

Josip Skoko - Born in Mt Gambier South Australia. Australian citizen. Australian Olympic Team Member. Played 4 years in Belgium (by your logic, should Belgium claim him too)?

Mark Viduka - Born in Melbourne, Australia. Viduka’s mother is of Ukranian descent. He’s the Australian captain FFS. If he was that infatuated with the country of his ancestors he would have moved there, played for Croatia and possibly scored a goal in your pitiful performance against the japs today. Tough luck.

Posted from  Australia

Well, to be honest its just the same like against Brazil..We were the better team but we just didnt score and also the …penalty of Srna..had a lot of chances…Now its just up to Brazil, i sure think that they will win and then the last game is the big decision between Australia and Croatia

Posted from  Austria

LiverpollFC, Troy…. I’m bracing for your onslaught, ready.. Let me have it… now!

No excuses from me…. Japan played well and Croatia just didn’t play at all.

I was hoping to see Croatia play as they did v Brazil.

Good luck Australia.
Kicking off in 15 min.

Posted from  Australia

Don’t get so offensive Dan!
I was only pointing out the obvious facts. Don’t show only one side of story, show both.
The matter of the fact is that these guys have spent considarable amount of time in Croatia and have started their European football careers in Croatia.

Australians always tend to claim people that have done well. Russel Crowe…but hey who wants him anyway - you can have him. And most recently Micheal Campbell who year ago won the US open! Guy is Maori , but hey Australians claim since he has an Australian wife he must be an Aussie!!!

What I have heard from many Aussies (from your newspapers and Cronulla Beach recent riots) to be an Aussie you have to be at least thrid generations born Austrialian!! Interesting enough these guys are FIRST!

Finally:
You cannot dismiss the fact that if there were no Croatia, there would not be Josip Skoko or Mark Viduka full stop:)

Posted from  New Zealand

Good advice. “Don’t show only one side of story, show both.”

We don’t claim Russell Crowe, the media in the U.S. is the main culprit there. We know he’s a New Zealander, who happens to have spent many years in Australia. And we claimed Campbell? Sorry, never heard of the guy. We couldn’t have claimed him too loudly. Maybe it was the N.Z. press making those claims as it wasn’t here.

As for the Cronulla riots, putting it down to how many generations Australian someone is takes the prize for oversimplification of an extremely complex situation. Not to mention the fact that it was not indicative of the majority of Australians. So before preaching about both sides of the story, take some of your own advice.

Posted from  Australia

Ok guys will leave it at that:) We all had our say. I can see your point of view, and I am sure you can see mine.

Something less serious now:
you have to watch this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oESUiEx5Hc&search=croatian%20soccer
Cheers

Posted from  New Zealand

CROATIA WILL BEAT AUSS

1-0 goal by prso WATCTH JESUS PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Posted from  Canada

Tomislav naa u won’t really here it from me anyway Japan played better, Croatia well probably were overconfident. Croatia havn’t scored in their last 4 games besides a Spanish own goal so it wasn’t really that surprising they did fail to score again. Anyway thats in the past lets look forward to the huge game on thursday which is on friday morning for us. GO THE AUSSIES,GO THE SOCCEROOS!!!Aussie!Aussie!Aussie! Oi!Oi!Oi! and personally I think it should be a national holiday declared if the Aussie’s do qualify for the round of 16. I mean the game is on 5 o’clock in the morn over here. So come on Johnny I know ur over in Germany watching,so how bout the rest of us?

Posted from  Australia

croatia didnt play well against japan, i’d be suprised though if they admit that fact. but it did look like they have the socceroos game pegged as a win and played for the draw against japan. they were lucky to hold on in the end.

Posted from  Australia

Hello..

Aussies did play with a lot of grit against Brazil.

But Croatia lost bcoz of the luck factor…they are almost there and are not Japan to score 3 goals against.

look at the croatia japan draw…the resolve and tenacity of croats was there to see…they just need one goal…it wont take much time before they multiply on that one goal

Posted from  United States

Hey guys! I am sooo excited to see the game on Thursday Australia - Croatia. Its gonna be a great final game for the 2nd place. By the way its a home game if you know what I mean lol. There are many players for OZ who are croatian so when someone says everybody understand it Anyway hope it will be a good game and I SURE AM CROATIA will win. greetings guys

Posted from  Austria

@Croatian. No need for that kind of BS mate. Where the hell do you get off by by talking that kind of crap here mate. Take your nonsense to another blog or speak with respect!

Posted from  United States

Aussies,you must understand one thing!Croats will always be Croats,no matter where they live.If a Croat lives somewhere for 300 years,they will still be Croats!!!Zivjela Hrvatska i hrvatski narod!!!

Posted from  Netherlands

Croatia….With 3 defected Australian nationals, hardly call that a real national team. Sorry fellas you got what you deserved…..No Second round for you!!!!!! :-p

Posted from  Australia

that croatia-aussie match was so dirty! the referee should take a hike. but im just curious, where in the world was our goalie mark SCHWARZER?? what the hell was he doing on the bench? Kalac should be so ashamed of the way he defended? how could he let that goal slip in?? we only got awarded one of the should’ve-been penalties! but we got them back as kewells goal was offside!

we did great though. i’m so proud. go the aussies. personally i thinks spain have a great chnace of winning, they are teh biggest underachievers..

Posted from  Australia

Wasn’t the MelbourneKnights used to call Melbourne Croatia???

Don’t be so harsh man,
show so respect!!

Posted from  New Zealand

All I can say is - Denis Susac, EAT YOUR WORDS!!! You were wrong with ALL of your stupid comments. GO THE AUSSIES!!!

Posted from  Australia

Honestly said - Australia deserved to win.. they were much better.

Posted from  United States

What a great match!!:)
So dissapointing for Croatia…but it least we gave aussie run for their money:)

Well congrats aussie (its so hard to say this) & good luck with Italy!

P.S. MelbourneKnights guy show some respect!

Posted from  New Zealand

CONGRATULATIONS AUSTRALIA!!!! I am Croatian fan but what I saw yesterday you guys deserved it but the referee was awful…there were penalties and the 2nd goal from kewell was offside but its past now…i really hope australia wins against italy

Posted from  Austria