7' A Great chance for Croatia. A Header that goes just wide. I think if it was on target Julio Cesar wouldnt have got to it. A missed opportunity as Croatia hopes to take the crowd out of the match. They've come out strong thus far.
11' An excellent through ball from Olic and Marcelo sends it in for an own goal after Jelevic gets a small touch!! Not the start brasil wanted, and we'll see what effect that has on the crowd. Croatia will do well to keep the pressure on. The early goal packing the pressure on Brasil, as if it wasn't already monumental. Let's see how they respond.
26' And now the first yellow card goes to Neymar. This is definitely not the opening half Brasil were hoping for. To be fair the forearm to the face perhaps wasn't serious enough for the card. Nevertheless, Brasil will want to be turning on the magic. And perhaps a fresh start after the half can help inject new life. But two minutes later he makes up for it with a long strike into the lower right corner off the upright. An inch further to the right and that isn't a goal. All even now. And the crowd are back into the game.
65' Well the lack of energy in the stadium is appalling, and is a stark contrast to the confederation cup final experience we were privy to. You have the feeling that the crowd are waiting for someone to give them a reason to go berserk. Unfortunately, nothing yet. Pace of the game still slow, a few crosses, none of which have really been on target. And the Brasilians going to ground perhaps a bit too easily now. The second yellow of the game comes out to a very strong tackle by the Croatian defense after giving up possession to Neymar in their half. A close free kick only but a foot too high, and it seems that both sides are content for a draw.
69' A penalty given to Brasil for a very weak tackle after Fred falls to the group nearly untouched. And thats the kind of thing you never like seeing. A massive gift for the Brasilians, and even though the keeper gets a touch, Neymar converts the penalty and its 2-1 Brasil, although you can hardly say they've earned it.
77' The first piece of brilliant play in a long time, a beautiful cross by Oscar and David Luis gets a head on it but doesnt get enough to put it on goal. But after the gift by the Referee to Fred's bit of acting, everyone going to ground to try to win the referee's sympathy, and this is not the kind of football anyone wants to see happening in the world's biggest stage. Really unfortunate this opening match.
83' A bungled cross by Julio Cesar and Croatia sends the ball into the back of the net only to have it recalled as a foul on the keeper. Nothing going Croatia's way, and thats two bad calls that have gifted a goal to Brasil and taken one a way. What a different storyline those two calls have made.
91' Croatia playing strong but a beautiful run by Oscar and an early shot slotted just inside the upright from a toe poke surprises the keeper and makes it 3-1. And now Croatia only has missed chances to blame as opposed to the referee for their loss.
Final' Well its all over. The result the Brasilians hoped for. Perhaps not the exact storyline they expected. Its still 3 points, but they looked unprepared and very lucky in this one. You have to think that they'll warm up to the tournament, and their luck wont vanish. If this was their one bad performance, I would be very worried for their future opponents.
No comments:
Post a Comment