Brazil’s Neymar and Croatia’s Modric
The Samba boys of Brazil is likely to finish their quarter final match against the Blazers of Croatia in regular time if their dribbling and sharp shooting skills are to be considered but the Croats stubbornness, resilience and endurance may push the encounter into penalty shootouts.
On paper, Brazil and Croatia are not mates. Brazil is ranked no 1 while Croatia that made their debut into the world cup in 1998 is ranked 12th. Croatia was runners-up at the last competition in Russia 2018 and won Bronze at France 98.
That cannot at all be compared to the intimidating records of Brazil, five times champions in 1958; 1962, 1970; 1994 and 2002. Brazil was runners-up twice in 1950 and 1998. Bronze Medalists 1938 and 1978 as well as 4th place holders in 1974 and when they hosted in 2014.
To get to the quarters, Croatia played goalless with Morocco; slammed Canada 4-1 and played another goalless with Belgium in the group stages to become runners-up in that Group F. Then Croatia played 1-1 after Extra time with Japan in the round of 16 before clinching it on penalties 3-1. Meaning that Croatia won two matches; drew two scored 5 goals and conceded 2 goals.
Brazil topped group G beating Serbia 2-0; piped Switzerland 1-0; but lost to Cameroon 0-1. Brazil won the group with 6 points with +2 goals difference too. Brazil mercilessly beat Asian Tigers, South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16.
From the records at Qatar, it means both Croatia and Brazil have same strength defenders but Brazil has the edge in goal scoring. There may be a mistake on concentrating on Neymar junior the star boy that loves dribbling like Jay Jay Okocha of Nigeria. In the days of iconic Pele, opponents concentrate on the fellow who played world cup at age 17 and became an instant super star but there was Tostao a dribbling kingpin on the right flank who causes collateral damage to opponents. He would dribble five people in a row and still find Pele the goal scorer. That was 1970 world cup. Richarlison that scored the only hat trick against South Korea may come and do the damage again.
Brazil loves piling pressure on opponents to force corner kicks and free kicks around vital areas and their set pieces player, Neymar is as dangerous as a rattle snake in that area. I suspect a goal will come from that and rough Korea may concede a penalty. Korea may frustrate Brazil with outstanding blockage of shots and moves.
I suspect the embarrassing moment of 2014 when Brazil hosted and a controversial penalty was awarded them by Ref Yuichi Nishimura of Japan will not repeat itself. There are technological devices to monitor the match including the automated offside machine and the VAR machines. In that 2014 match The Japanese Ref over ruled Ivan Perisivic goal. Chairman of the Refs Committee in that tournament defended Yuichi saying the Ref was intolerant to hand ball. That will not happen in Qatar.
Thrice both sides met all won by Brazil. On 13th June 2006 at the world cup in Germany Brazil won by a lone goal; in the controversial world cup match of 12th June 2014 in Brazil the Samba boys won 3-1 and on 3rd June in Russia 2018 Brazil won 2-0.
Brazil may not win on a platter of Gold but the team that makes a mistake will be punished with goals and the bench will win the match. The match will not be technical. Croatian Captain Luka Modric has told the world that for the Croats to lift the cup there will be a lot of drama. Mehn, only the deep can decode that.
The football world is waiting for the match who FIFA has not released names of officials as at Wednesday 1700 hours West African Time. The match is Friday at 6pm. On that day at 10pm Netherlands will file out against Argentina in the second quarter finals.
On Saturday at 6pm Morocco will play Portugal in the 3rd quarters while at 10pm England will meet defending Champions France.
Eniola Olatunji reporting. #Fifaworldcup2022.
