Below is a diary of all games played by Croatia in FIFA World Cup 2006.
Last Updated: June 19, 2006
Date Played: June 13, 2006 (Group Stage)
Opponent: Brazil
Scorer/s: Kaka (44′)
Budweiser Man of the Match: Kaka
Croatia gave the Brazilians a scare with their gutsy play keeping the favorites at bay. They managed to keep the game close all throughout until Kaka delivered at the 44th minute what proved to be the only goal of the game.
The Croatian team was praised for their solid showing a well disciplined and well organized squad. They played at the same level as the favorites only to get beaten by single hard-earned goal.
Niko KOVAC:
Nothing is lost yet. We have a realistic chance of winning against Japan and Australia. If you don’t take the chances you get and you let the opposition take their one chance, you lose. We could be in a better position after this match, but we can still manage it because our team has a lot of quality. Our fans are unbelievable. We’re in a strong group and it will go down to the last match.
Stud of the Game: Kaka who scored the only goal of the game ensured Brazil is going to get their three points and most importantly avoid humiliation.
Dud of the Game: Ronaldo the pig just could not get his game going because of those extra cholesterol he carried with him.
Honorable Mention: Ronaldinho even without scoring made crucial and intelligent plays that gets Brazil scoring opportunities.
Game Players : 1 Pletikosa Stipe, 2 SRNA Darijo, 3 Simunic, 4 R. Kovac, 5 Tudor, 7 Simic, 8 Babic, 9 Prso, 10 N. Kovac, 17 Klasnic, 19 Kranjcar
Yellow Cards: Kovac Niko (32′); Kovac Roberto (67′); Tudor (90′);
Substitutes Leko for Kovac (41′), Olic for Klasnic (56′)
Date Played: June 18, 2006 (Group Stage)
Opponent: Japan
Scorer/s:
Budweiser Man of the Match: Hidetoshi Nakata
Recap: This game did not help either team get closer to their goals. On the other hand, both Brazil especially Australia would be happy to hear that given that they have already secured three points in their opening game.
Both teams had a very good opportunity of scoring a goal when Croatia’s Darijo’s penalty at the 22nd minute was saved by Yoshikatsu while Japan’s Atsushi Yanagisawa an easy goal in the second half.
Nakata (JPN):
I am sorry for the Japanese fans that we didn’t win the game. Nil-nil wasn’t a good scoreline for us. In the first half, I thought we played very well, but in the second half when Croatia stepped up the tempo, we found things extremely difficult. Now we must focus on the Brazil match. I think we still have a chance. If I didn’t, I would be going back to London straight away.
Stud of the Game: Hidetoshi Nakata played well by providing leadership and setting the plays that gave Japan their best scoring chances. He orchestrated the attacks that fueled their offense throughout the game.
Dud of the Game:
Honorable Mention: Akira Kaji who played the right-back was all over the flank running back and forth for 90 minutes. His hardwork in the game is admirable.
Game Players : 1 Pletikosa Stipe, 2 SRNA Darijo, 3 Simunic, 4 R. Kovac, 5 Tudor, 7 Simic, 8 Babic, 9 Prso, 10 N. Kovac, 17 Klasnic, 19 Kranjcar
Yellow Cards: R. Kovac (32′); SRNA Darijo(69′);
Substitutes Modric Luka for Kranjcar (78′), Olic Ivica for Tudor Igor (70′), Bosnjak Ivan for SRNA Darijo (87′)
Current Squad
Goalie: 1 Stipe Pletikosa, 12 Joseph Didulica, 23 Tomislav Butina
Defense: 3 Josip Simunic, 4 Robert Kovac, 5 Igor Tudor, 7 Dario Simic, 11 Mario Tokic, 13 Stjepan Tomas, 20 Anthony Seric
Midfield: 2 Darijo Sr, 6 Jurica Vranjes, 8 Marko Babic, 10 Nico Kovac, 14 Luka Modric, 15 Ivan Leko, 16 Jerko Leko, 19 Niko Kranjcar
Striker: 9 Dado Prso, 17 Ivan Klasnic, 18 Ivica Olic, 21 Bosko Balaban, 22
Ivan Bosnjak
[tags]FIFA World Cup, World Cup, FIFA World Cup 2006, Germany, Soccer, Croatia, Diary[/tags]
