Croatia Crush Austria in World Cup Tune Up

That was impressive on Marco’s part. I think since this was left on the Croatia blog, I get first dibs on his other predictions. I’ll blog the game later..

Croatia is going to be a tough team at the World Cup. I can’t wait to see how they do against Brazil. I’m predicting a 1-1 draw.

Actually, Austria is ranked 79th. The 42nd ranked team is Australia… I know, the names look alike, but they´re completely different countries in opposite sides of the world :)

Duly noted and corrected. Australia is the one with the Sound of Music, right? :-)

The Croatia vs. Brazil game will be a very exciting match. I predict a 1-1 draw. I cheering for Croatia because I’m CROATIAN.
“Hrvatska je prvak svjeta neka pati ko me smeta!!!

Starting to get more and more interested in seeing your team playing Brazil, Soze… ;-)

BTW, I’ve been trying to find some sort of shcheme with CRO’s tactical formation (4-4-2, etc…), cos I know it’s somewhat atypical. Just don’t know what’s it like, finally…

“Hrvatska je prvak svjeta neka pati ko me smeta!!!

Ah yes, the NT’98 anthem, nice memories. Let’s see if this years tem can repeat. We did OK yesterday, but Brazil and even Japan are a very different bird than Austria. Austria barely kept their composure yesterday, having only 35% of ball posession.

Pedo P> This will be the most exciting game of the group. I, along with most people I think (even Euler) am predicting a draw but we all know that two different Brazil’s can come out that day..(cautious or ready to kill). Croatia formation is mostly 3-4-1-2 but last night the coach played around with 4-4-2 in the second half.

You had a nice trip to Portugal?..I am going to be there in August and can hardly wait.

Ah… So it’s a sort of 3-5-2, only the 3rd guy on front is something between a #10 and a half-striker… Kinda like a 3-4-3. This right? Seems nowadays more and more teams play with only 3 defenders. Makes the team more compact and one more guy in the midfield, where actually most of the game happens.

Brazil doesn’t usually play in the wings – the famous front square 2 strikers + 2 very attacking mids (who can do almost anything) + 2 defending mids. Apparently, neither does CRO… This means a lot of people in the middle of the pitch… CRO and BRA are very skilled, like to have the ball and also give spaces… But if BRA gets CRO off guard…

Portugal was very good :-) thanks. Just a couple of days (to see the sun again)…

Scolari has been, in time, making the guys get used to switching from the always classic 4-4-3 (4 defs, mid variable triangle, 2 wingers and one striker), into what was called as “Attacking 4-4-2″ – like ManUtd plays: 4 defs, 2 robust mids, 2 wingers and 2 strikers, by making CRonaldo play behind pauleta PLUS Deco more fwd and to the side, with Figo still on one of the wings AND switching with eacother. It’s all about versatility and how to better fit your adversary… Hope it works…

Pedro> It’s knda like that. Croatia has alot of defensive midfielders so when Niko Kranjcar joined the NT as another midfielder his natural position is just behind the strikers. He is a little lazy, does not like to run back so this is his position. He has a good feel for the game but a nasty habit of waiting for the ball to come to him.

The BRA CRO game will be a packed midfield…but yesterday Prso, our striker, proved his versatility. He played a great suporting wing role. If he does this against Brazil, he will have that side all to himself. This is, of course, alot of speculation…I can hardly wait to ee the real thing.

Anyone know where i can see highlights or goals?

Ivane> For Croatia vs. Austria highlights…go to:

http://croatia.worldcupblog.org/group-f/croatia-vs-austria-highlights.html