Brazil vs. Croatia
The Samba Boys are about to kickoff, so pull up a chair, pour yourself a caipourinha and join me for some "Jogo Bonito." Will Brazil live up to the enormous hype? We'll soon see. I'd love to see a 12-0 thumping with everyone including Dida scoring, but my head says that the Croatian backline has the experience to hold down the score. Alright, I'll tolerate an 8-0. How about that?
posted by gatorbob @ 2:49 PM
63 Comments:
And here's the side for the Champions:
BRAZIL
1. Dida
2. Cafu
3. Lucio
4. Juan
6. Roberto Carlos
11.Ze Roberto
5. Emerson
10. Ronaldinho
8. Kaka
7. Adriano
9. Ronaldo
Do we really care about the Croatians? Nah, unleash the hounds, boys. What a cracking team!
The Olympic Stadium looks epic - I can't imagine the atmosphere in the stadium. It's deafening even on the telly. And the Croatian fans are making most of the noise.
Here we go. Let's have some ball's out attacking!
Early strike by Roberto Carlos - let's be having more of that!
Early crunching tackle on Big Ron - I hope the ref is vigilant about curbing the excesses of these Croat assassins.
This looks good. It's all Brasil - a bit of magic already from the Smiling One.
The Croatians are strong in defense with the Kovacs brothers, but they also have Prso up front who plays at Rangers. He's a bit flash with the ponytail.
An early test for Dida handled well. These Croats are no mugs, but I still reckon that they'll get caught out.
Lightening quick break ending with a ferocious strike from Kaka.
The Croatians will be as tough a test as Brasil will have in this first round. It'll show us how their creaky backline will hold up to a well-organized European side.
The match has slowed down after the early flurry of activity. Just as expected, the Croats have dropped back. They're no fools.
Another tremendous Roberto Carlos strike just tipped over by the Croat keeper. Crikey!
And another chance for Ronaldinho just tipped around the corner. Another corner to come....
And another Roberto Carlos strike...
I can barely catch my breath.
Big Ron looked a bit sluggish on that chance - I'm not sure he's 100%
The refs not really calling much out there. That's a shame because the Croats are likely to be niggling away, as they did there on Adriano in the box.
i'm taking it as a statement of intent from brazil that they've started numbers 1 through 11. when was the last time you saw that?
cracking start.
Brasil could easily get caught on the break if they're not careful. Croatia is playing the textbook counterattacking game, springing one or two quick players and trying to test the legs of Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
Another ball runs by Big Ron and he barely puts a toe out. If he doesn't improve, I'd stick the boy Robinho in at the sixtieth minute or so.
classic wayne dahlgrenism just now... "i believe that ronaldo's carrying a bit too much weight!"
close one there from the croats. brazil could be caught out for one of those.
Nearly for Croatia. They kept Emerson napping after he conceded a free kick. Surely Gilberto would be a better option.
Corner to come...and nothing.
Niko Kovacs goes down in a heap like a little girl. The Croats are playing the clock even at this early stage.
Now, a dangerous free kick opportunity for Brasil and a card for Robert Kovacs.
Ronaldinho to take.....
Straight into the wall, to be fair it was a bit close.
Heya mate! Good to hear from you. Big Ron is a bit big, isn't he? I don't think he's right - should stick on Robinho, don't you think?
I'm feeling a bit starved for goals after the borefest by France and now this.
definitely would do that if it didn't destroy the perfect 1 through 11 numbering.
did you hear that big ron's caught an infection from the blisters caused by his boots? or did you tell me that one?
Thuggish behavior from Emerson - hate him.
Yeah, I told you that rumor about Ronaldo. I buy it on this evidence. He's been really sluggish. This is why I think that England might, might have just a wee chance if we were to get them in the semis.
I noticed the numbering thing too - very cool. I haven't seen that since the 70s.
That big girl Kovacs is going off now - good riddance - he's taken ten minutes off the clock with his shenanigans. I think that was the point. On comes some bloke called Leko.
And finally a yellow for Emerson. Good, maybe another yellow and he'll be suspended for a match or two. I'd like to see them play one more attacking midfielder against Japan.
GOAL: 1-0 Brasil! A moment of genius from Kaka. Finally someone had a bit of space at the top of box and took advantage of it. Credit where it's due - Emerson started that move with a lovely ball out wide to Cafu.
A good couple of minutes there for you
Emerson picks up what will be the first of many yellows and then Kaka unleashes a peach of a shot. nice one.
Half time: Brasil 1-0; a great time for them to score. It hasn't been the lovely flowing high scoring stuff that I wanted but Brasil have shown why teams fear them. Croatia did just about everything right and they're still going to lose this one in the end. Brasil just have so many weapons. It almost doesn't matter that their front line isn't clicking at all. Nothing much from Ronaldo and Adriano.
Well it's sad when the weather plays such a big part in the world cup. It's obviously too cold in Germany for Brazil, they're only 1-0 up at the half.
Big Ron is the disappointment in the match. He's so off form it's untrue and a bit cruel to keep playing him when he's just a shell of what he was. He's 29 years old now and I worry that he won't recover that form we loved. In fact, he could even disintegrate into one of those Brazilian tragedies like Garrincha. He's not pushed for money now, but on this season's showing, he could be done right now. And then what? Gypsy type existance in the Brazilian league? Sad. Did you see the chance that he passed up because he was sitting on his heels when the ball came to him?
You're right about how cruel it is for Croatia. They've done very well and look like 2nd place in this group.
So what did you make of France's performance? I thought it was shockingly bad, worse than against Senegal four years ago. Totally toothless. Time for a complete shakeup after this competition.
mom and i went to the v & a for an exhibit on modernism so i missed the s.korea togo match. i've got it on tape so i'll watch it after this one.
the france game was the worst game i've watched yet. of course, i felt bad for th14 because he was so stranded up by himself. wiltord was awful, just useless. paddy put another punctuation point on the reason he was sold for silly money to juve. riberry was very green and should have had a go when he had his chances. but the real surprize was zidane. how he must be rueing this decision to return to int'l duty when this is all he can do any more. i agree with you that they were underrated before a kick today, but i can't see them getting to the quarterfinals.
jesus, big ron's even late out of the tunnel at the start of the half. did he leave any of the cream buns in the dressing room?
Did you notice that Big Ron showed up on the pitch again just as they were kicking off? Something's not right, but we'll probably never find out the deal. Reminds me of the '98 Final.
Nearly again for Prso; Croatia have to push it. Their Plan A hasn't worked so they'll need to get a goal. And they might just, especially from a set piece.
So what are the BBC guys saying about Brazil? Big Ron? What about Adriano - he's shown me just about what I expected. A big bloke with not much guile.
Finally a bit of a spark from Big Ron. Nice blast from about twenty yards. He scores one and all is forgiven I suspect. They're lining up some subs.
Lovely move ending with a backpost header from Ronaldinho. I don't think that i've ever seen him score a header, have you?
Going back to the Big Ron mystery - I'm wondering if they weren't treating him during half-time and it took longer than they had. Just patched him up enough to get him back on the pitch to earn his Nike corn.
Yellow card for Robert Kovacs on Adriano. What do you make of Adriano?
Robinho's coming on, probably for Ronaldo. And not before time. Croatia really threatening now, as they have to. They have to gamble a little at the back.
Big Ron's done for the day. On this showing I can't see him threatening Gerd Muller's record of 14 goals in this WC.
We'll see what the kid Robinho can do. Right now the Brasilian backline is really under the cosh.
I am at work fellas,
Brazil are struggling!!!
I guess England didn't that bad
If Brazil don't win their group what does that mean for the latter stages?
Hiya Dave! Yeah, most of the big sides seem to be putting up with slim wins. Ronaldo was terrible today; they just took him off. Brazil are paired up with Group E, so they'll get either Italy or the Czechs, so they can't relax much here. It'll be a tough match regardless. Right now the Czechs are top of Group E on goal difference - we'll see what happens in the next set of matches - the Italians could put five past our mugs.
What did you make of France - weren't they shocking!?
They were hopeless. They could have easily lost. Do you think that should have been a penalty?
I didn't see the last part of it because teaching. Was Trez or Saha brought on?
The game's opening up a bit now, with Croatia trying to push it. There could be a goal or two more in this. Stayed tuned - fifteen minutes to go.
Saha came on toward the end and they ended up with TH, Wiltord and Saha up front and still couldn't do a thing. Completely clueless and out of ideas.
It was never a penalty for me.
I still don't rate Saha. I don't like the idea of him and Rooney without Ruud
I agree. I wasn't sure when you bought him. I think Ferg's mad to sell Ruud, whatever the money.
Emerson down on the turk - let's hope he's crocked. He's not the Jogo Bonito man that we love. Much rather see someone like Gilberto or Edmilson (although he's crocked too) in there.
There is a person on the field.. they think it's all over!!!
Hey there AZ! How are the Swiss enjoying that draw with France - what a result for them. They must be dancing in the streets. Have some wurst and bier on me!
Why are the Croats celbrating so much?
They're losing!!!
Welcome you Euro traveler
I think someone's just told them that a Serb has been stabbed to death in a pub in Gelsenkiershen. They're mad, they are.
Croats might be happy with a 1-0.
way to make it politcal, bob
Brazil have not impressed me
Nor I. This is pretty much what I expected. A lot of players whose best years are behind them. I reckon that if England got them in the quarterfinals or semis we might beat them on the day. It would be a close thing.
let's hope so
I would love to be there with you. All of Europe must be a big party. Can you imagine the town of Zagreb tonight if they're going this barmy in the stadium over a 1-0 loss?
game over.
I have to leave and go to my next job.
I will try to join some of the blogg tomorrow at school.
Enjoy your evening.
Dave
Full time: 1-0; I agree with United. Not the flowing brilliance that was hyped. Perhaps they're leaving something in the tank, but Brasil have some problems to sort out, principally with Big Ron.
Yeah, AZ. The US were really poor. It was described back here as "Men against Boys" and that just about got it. The Czechs always looked in control. The commentators are trying to spin it that we can do something against Italy, but they have to do that to keep people tuning in. The reality is that we'll lose on Saturday and then will have a meaningless match against Ghana, which we may well lose as well. They were not bad against Italy last night.
just finished hearing leonardo saying that pareira would be forced to play ronaldo unless brazil fall behind.
ian wright says ron's performance was cringworthy. like watching ali vs. holmes.
be fair to adriano. he didn't get anything like the service that he's supposed to get. i thought that ronaldo was so pathetic that kaka and ronny were deliberately trying to set him up with chances to the detriment of adriano.
if pareira picks his next 11 on form, ron will be behind junior pernambucano and fred in the running, but i have a feeling that the squad will close ranks around ron.
just finished hearing leonardo saying that pareira would be forced to play ronaldo unless brazil fall behind.
ian wright says ron's performance was cringworthy. like watching ali vs. holmes.
be fair to adriano. he didn't get anything like the service that he's supposed to get. i thought that ronaldo was so pathetic that kaka and ronny were deliberately trying to set him up with chances to the detriment of adriano.
if pareira picks his next 11 on form, ron will be behind junior pernambucano and fred in the running, but i have a feeling that the squad will close ranks around ron.
news in the papers is that pareira says dropping il fenomino is "unthinkable." that's certainly not a footballing decision so is it the pressure from home or is it nike sticking it's nose in brazil's business?
Post a Comment
<< Home