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Get your pitch fix with SI.com's writers in the World Cup Blog, a daily journal of World Cup commentary, on-site reporting and reader-driven discussions.6/13/2006 01:07:00 PM Any Chance For Croatia?
Croatia, like every other team that faces Brazil, will have a hard time trying to contain Ronaldinho.Ulli Michel/Getty ImagesPosted by Grant Wahl
BERLIN -- I love Brazilian soccer fans. There were tons of them on my subway car to the Olympiastadion a few minutes ago: guys dressed in yellow from head to toe; babies wearing tiny knockoff Ronaldinho jerseys; and women decked out in... well, not much at all, to be honest.
I come to tonight's Brazil-Croatia game full of anticipation, but also armed with plenty of questions. Can this Brazil team become the greatest Seleção of all time (as Ronaldinho predicted to me in our recent sit-down interview)? Should coach Carlos Alberto Parreira find a way to get Robinho into the starting lineup? Is it high time for Ronaldinho to have the kind of transcendent performance for Brazil that he so often does for Barcelona? Does Ronaldo deserve to get the nod up front? And how much patience will Parreira show with Ronaldo if he doesn't get off to a good start in this tournament?
You never know what might happen in an opening game. The first time I ever saw Ronaldo live was at Brazil's opener in the '96 Olympics against Japan. Even though Brazil had a lot of its '98 World Cup players on the field (Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos), Japan somehow got a goal against the run of play and won 1-0. Do you think Croatia can pull the upset?
Check back in with me after the game for an on-site reaction...
54 Comments:
I don't think so, Brazil ownz. Maybe croatia will get lucky. Liek 0.01% chance.With one hour to go before the match, I'd say "no" - Croatia's defense looked VERY shaky against Iran, and that's not exactly top competition. They'll maybe even bag a goal or two (Brazil's "D" also isn't that great), but more likely than not Ronaldo and Kaka will run circles around the Croats. (unfortunately, Ronaldinho is a choker - much like Henry, who was nowhere to be seen today against Switzerland.)Brazil may start sluggish, but look out when they get into samba rhythm.Well, I believe that Brazil is at another level than all the other teams, with the possible exception of England. I would say France, but their preformance against Switzerland was pretty bad. Anyway, Brazil's team is loaded with amazing talent, and Croatia doesn't stand a chance. Look for Brazil to not only defeat Croatia, but to defeat the rest of their opponents and win the World Cup again.I think that the Brazilian soccer team has a lot of talent. I love the fans, and just the country itself. But to see Brazil winning all of the time gets boring. It is comparable to the Yankees winning all the time. I would like to see two teams that you would never expect to make it to the finals. Give a small country the boost that they need in moral. I don't know, maybe its about time they don't win all the time.i am a big fan of brazillian playmakers .. but i also fear that they could end up like the mighty france did in the last world cupBrazil will not even make it to the second round.No way, Brazil has a star studded lineup which will go all way to the final. Ronaldhino is unstoppable. Joga BonitaThe way to beat Brazil is to control possesion and exploit the wings. If the Croats are able to hold the ball and force Cafu and Roberto Carlos to play more defense than usual, they have a legitimate chance. Keep the ball away from Kaka and Ronaldinho... but I suppose that's pretty obvious, eh?Sure, its possible. Croatia has had its share of World Cup victories, they're no pushover. That being said, Brazil is heads and above most everyone else talent-wise.....and I get the feeling that this team understands that they need to take every opponent seriously....of course, all i've seen is the media portrayal, not how the players have been carrying themselves...but they've been saying the right things...i like this team for the Final....end result: Brazil 2, Croatia 0.No chance for Croatia at allNot likely at all ; If so, it would be the end of world for BrazilianBest Brazil team ever? 1970. Second place so far? 1982 (although lost to Rossi's Italy). This team wins cup and they may surpass Pele's 1970 team. Brazil 4, Croatia 0.I think so. Brazil can get too cocky and take the game for granted. Croatia, like any underdog, knows it has nothing to lose.brazil 4-1....don't forget about the midfield....kaka and cafu are proven talent.....lack of organization and understanding in the back will be a concern....those guys have only been playing together for about 1 monthcroatia is quite underrated, like ukraine
croatia 2-1Brazil is at another level than all other teams?
Unfortnately, that other level was a step or two below Argentina, for example in their their qualifier a few months ago. Argentina won 3-1. There are teams out there that can beat braizl. Brazil's defense is more porous than a sponge, though obviously they have a ridiuclous attack and midfield. We'll just have to see how they match up against the teams they play and who makes it with them towarsd the later rounds."Brazil will not even make it to the second round."
Comedy at its best!I've got one thing to say BRAZIL 3 CROATIA 0 You can that to the bankUntil proven otherwise Brazil is the team to beat. They have the best playmaker in Ronaldinho, and the best pure finisher in Ronaldo. Even if he is over weight, he's still one of the greatest players and that can't be over looked.Croatia doesn't stand a chane. I think it will come down to England and Brazil...that would be an epic match.I agree wu=ith the last comment. Brazil should win today by a large margin. Besides Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldhino, they have Adriano (apparently nobody remembers him). He could score in a hurry. Their D is not very good, but their ofense is awesome.games about to start....no doubt brazil will win..defending world cup champions baby!!!Croatia will need to be very physicalRonaldinho will have a great game today. Winning a world cup in 2002 and the Champions League 2006, he has nothing to prove, at 26 he's won everything already! Hopefully Fred and Robinho make an appearance in today's match and show the brilliance of Brazilian futbol! Unfortunately Brazil won't lay it on thick, they just want to win by 1 or 2 goals, they will not show-off this early in the competition. They've already secured 1st place in their division! VIVA BRAZIL!Brazil has more talent than any team in the world. Croatia does not stand a chance.brazil could lose. but i could also become pregnant with twins.. but im a guy, so both scenarios seem unlikelyBrazil all the way.The key to containing Brazil is containing Ronaldinho. If he has a poor or even a mediocre performance and is successfully defended by Croatia it may leave the door open for an upset…Whoever suggested that Brazil will not make into the 2nd round simply does not possess a scintilla of football knowledge.
Brazil may get off to a slow start if Ronaldo can't get it done up top, but given the sheer depth of its talent, who can stop them? Petr Czech? Perhaps...Buffon? Maybe. I like Italy's chances better.Brazil needs to defend. Their playmakers must exhibit a "we" mentality on the pitch. While watching Rinaldinho dance with the ball at his feet, I would rather watch him put the ball where it belongs, in the back of the net.Of course Brazil is favored, but remember: they play the games for a reason; otherwise they would just mail the trophy to Rio. I have Brazil winning, but Croatia advancing all the way through for a rematch in the final. Croatia are big, strong, and talented. And anything can happen in one game...i believe brazil has a lot to prove they believe they are the best ever. look for a slow start from brazil, but they will catch fire before halftime and never look back. 3-1 BrazilDoes everyone forget 1998? I don't see Croatia beating them but don't sign their name to the trophy yet. Assembling the most talent alive does not make one the best team i.e. US Basketball at the olympics.RONALDINHO! God's gift to soccer.They have the same chance of winning as the sun turning green.Kim B
I do think that Brazil is the best team ever and yes they will defeat Croatia's team.
Go Brazil go!!!!!!Ronaldo is over. Robinho starts in his place from now on. Ronaldo looked fat, lazy, lethargic and spoiled.Despite what most thought about this game, it is very clear who played better in this game! Croatia did, with no doubt!! I was surprised that Brazil had that one point, which was completly accidental. Croatia played much much better!!I am a proud Brazilian when it comes to soccer. I was very tense when watching today's game against Croatia, especially during the first half. Brazil could not keep the ball for too long, as Croatia had an amazing defense. But after Kaka scored our only goal, I was certain that Brazil would win the game. In my point of view, the removal of Croatia's captain weakened their chances of winning. But as a Brazilian, I must confess that I am disappointed with Ronaldo, who proved not to be a "phenomenom", at least this time. I was definitely expecting more from him, and he was inactive the entire game before being substituted by Robinho. But overall, Brazil did a great job.. Excellent game!where was the overpowering Brazilian attack? Croatia had a fair amount of good looks but didn't test Dida when they actually took their shots. Croatia outplayed the Brazilians in the 2nd half and if they had finished their scoring chances better the result would be very different. Brazil needs to heat up or get very worried for the rest of their games.Australia is going to BREAK Brazil, literally and physically.After watching brazil play 2day i think they will make it all the way with Rinaldhino and kaka but if they face Argentina..that might be their end to the world cup.Well Brazil won that game.. But the team you need to watch out for is Australia... They are gonna smash the game to a new level, and take out the 2006 world cup..I say in the end its gonna be England and Brazil they got two of the best players Ronaldhino and Bekham best out there.I laughed at the comment somewhere in the thread that Brazil will not even advance to 2nd round. Is this guy really serious about it? Then I double checked which countries are in same group with Brazil. I just kept laughing more. They are Australia, Japan and Crotia. If Brazil is not going to 2nd round then who else is going? How much I wish that some people use common sense. And these kind of comments amuse me to death. There are many other ways to keep things interesting... but Brazil not advancing to 2nd round... foggedaboutit!!!ok lets just say croatia did well they did bad in the first half but the second half they where great if croatia played like they did in second half brazil wouldnt of had a chance. face the facts!Just watched the game,
if only the crows could shoot at goal without kicking straight to the keeper it could have been 3-1 croatiaBrazil barely won, Croatia had many more chances but lack of organization on the Croatian side led Brazil to victory. Brazil is overrated, they are a respectable and well coreographed team but they are not the best team and mark my words that they will not take this worldcup home. -btw, is Ronaldo still playing for Brazil? It didn't look like it. he looks FAT!That was the "starter menu". Wait until the main course!Against Brazil, Croatia (and any other team) deserves to lose if it cant capitalise on the many opportunities it had to score goals - i agree that it could have easily gone Croatia's way.
I think it came down to first game nerves on both sides - but Brazil were just too composed in the end.
Very sloppy Croatia - but i still support you all the way!!!!Emmmm,,,Is it just me or does Ronaldihno play better in a regular bame than in THE WORLD CUP??? Its probably the stress.
Still Kaka scored the 1st GOAL and I was rooting for CROATIA!! BOOHOO!
Croatia did play a tough game but SACRRRA so did Brasil!
Another thing is what is with Ronalo? what is with the extra poundage??
HalleCroatia's D disrupted Brazil, but even broken down can Brazil find ways to score.After a few days.....it seems as if Croatia exposed Brazil and gave the world a lesson in how to take down GOLAITH....I hope all the other countries facing Brazil watch the Croatia tape and learn from it...Brazil with no time on the ball is beatable like anyone else...they will not win the WC...RONALDO....what a shame is he over 225 lbs....Recent Posts
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