Brazil - Croatia match thread

Turtwig

What Brazil pressure in the second half? They barely had a sniff. Modric and rakitic (xavi's replacement?) controlled that half.

LETS BE AVN IT

Unreal game maybe the best ever opening match . Brazil deserved winners and fair play to croatia for turning up Neymar is special cant wait for next game can see Mexico getting second.

HalloweenJack

Turtwig wrote: »

Modric and rakitic (xavi's replacement?) controlled that half.

Supposedly, he's not going anywhere as the missus wants to stay in Seville.

efb

LETS BE AVN IT wrote: »

Unreal game maybe the best ever opening match . Brazil deserved winners and fair play to croatia for turning up Neymar is special cant wait for next game can see Mexico getting second.

Can I have whatever you're smoking???

kryogen

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

It was a sublime strike from Neymar, the only place where he could have put the ball beyond the reach of the keeper, was precisely the point where he put the ball. Now I'm not a goalkeeping sage, but apart from Neymar's fine strike, there was also some traffic which may have unsighted the keeper.

It was the opposite of a sublime strike in fact, it was a mis-hit shot that got lucky on its way to the goal and then the keeper, for the first time in the match, but certainly not the last, made an absolute bollix of it and conceded at best a very soft goal.

The penalty from Neymar was worse, but can be forgiven I guess as it was a penalty (forgiving the GK I mean) from the run up and the way his body posture was there was only one place Neymar could hit the ball, the keeper worked that out, got there and still failed to stop it. Very poor.

The third goal? **** me that was the worst of the lot, I surely don't need to elaborate

It was one of the worst displays of goalkeeping I have seen in a long time.

kryogen

Pro. F wrote: »

Luiz's defensive position on the Croatia goal is comedy. A tiny bit of movement and he was all over the place.

He is shocking alright, have no idea how he is so highly thought of in certain circles as a defender

Corvus Maximus

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Scuffed it? Go to 00:10 seconds in and play and play. I'm not seeing any scuffed shot. The contact with the ball looks pretty o.k. to me.

A bit clearer here, so go to @ 00:52 seconds in and I'm still not seeing any sign of a scuffed shot or poor contact with the ball.

When I saw it, it was definitely scuffed, can't find the replay but he definitely didn't hit it properly at all. Just throwing my opinion in as I was watching it with a few people and we all thought the same.

Also, it wasn't moving all that fast, the keeper dived early and missed it when he should have taken a side step then dived. Almost like a "dive for the cameras" gone wrong.

Timmyctc

Neymar definitely scuffed it, 100%. good goal though. Can't take it away from a player. If you aim to shoot and score. Regardless of the manner in which you score you intended it. It doesn't matter if you were aiming top right and scuffed a bottom middle finish. This is what happened Neymar today. Clearly.

What isn't cool though, is the clear non-penalty and the disallowed Croatian goal for absolutely nothing. The ref was abysmal and it really makes you think why this sport can't get effective refereeing when sports like Rugby, that's only technically been professional for about 10 years or so, manages it so well.

Optimalprimerib

Timmyctc wrote: »

Neymar definitely scuffed it, 100%. good goal though. Can't take it away from a player. If you aim to shoot and score. Regardless of the manner in which you score you intended it. It doesn't matter if you were aiming top right and scuffed a bottom middle finish. This is what happened Neymar today. Clearly.

What isn't cool though, is the clear non-penalty and the disallowed Croatian goal for absolutely nothing. The ref was abysmal and it really makes you think why this sport can't get effective refereeing when sports like Rugby, that's only technically been professional for about 10 years or so, manages it so well.

Watch the 2011 world cup final and come back to me.

My prediction was brazil to win the trophy by hook or by crook. I knew they would get home rule, but they really got the rub of the green from the ref tonight.

The 3 main decisions, switch jerseys and how would they go? The penalty was so very wrong, neymars eye gouge on modric perhaps would have been red in game 2. The occasion may have got to the ref on the first world cup game. Croatias disallowed goal was a let off for cesar but that is a regular occurrence in the modern game. I do think if it was the other way around though the ref would have made the right calls. (Interesting to see how we would view each decision then)

Apart from the penalty, I think people are a little harsh on the keeper. He was unsighted for the first goal, which was perfectly in the corner of the goal. Oscars goal was also a wonderful piece of skill that left him completely flat footed and made him look foolish.

Jelle1880

William Hill paid out on Neymar first goalscorer

MysticMah

RoryMac wrote: »

Nice finish there from Oscar but poor again from the keeper, very slow to get down to it

ball in these world cup is very fast,goalkeeper must have very good reflexes,football players tested the ball before the world cup,you can see on the match with some balls do not run

kryogen

kryogen wrote: »

He is shocking alright, have no idea how he is so highly thought of in certain circles as a defender

PSG dropping 50 million on him :pac::pac::pac:

Chelsea must have tore there hands off the minute the offer came in.

colmufc

Finally saw the match at 11 last night , shocking ref decisions but George Hamilton is some joke can't even call the players by the correct names

Maximus Alexander

colmufc wrote: »

Finally saw the match at 11 last night , shocking ref decisions but George Hamilton is some joke can't even call the players by the correct names

You take that back right now! George Hamilton is a national god damn treasure.

colmufc

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

You take that back right now! George Hamilton is a national god damn treasure.

are you kidding g he called hulk "fred" he called gustavo "thiago silva" and said after Neymar that he is not the top scorer in the competition when his 1st goal did that , unfortunately I'm stuck watching rte for most of the games , he was a absolutely joke during the champions league final also he has no idea who the players are time for him to retire , I also hate the way he constantly goes quite for 30+ seconds and then pipes up with a stupid statement

Maximus Alexander

colmufc wrote: »

are you kidding g he called hulk "fred" he called gustavo "thiago silva" and said after Neymar that he is not the top scorer in the competition when his 1st goal did that , unfortunately I'm stuck watching rte for most of the games , he was a absolutely joke during the champions league final also he has no idea who the players are time for him to retire , I also hate the way he constantly goes quite for 30+ seconds and then pipes up with a stupid statement

You're talking about a man who comes out with gems like:

"Real Madrid are like a rabbit in the glare of the headlights in the face of Manchester United's attacks. But this rabbit comes with a suit of armour in the shape of two precious away goals"

He is a legend.

colmufc

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

You're talking about a man who comes out with gems like:

"Real Madrid are like a rabbit in the glare of the headlights in the face of Manchester United's attacks. But this rabbit comes with a suit of armour in the shape of two precious away goals"

He is a legend.

really that just shows how much of a joke he is , he hasn't a clue
thankfully he can't be at all the games

FourFourRED

Would you really prefer to listen to Andy Townsend on ITV?

kfallon

Jelle1880 wrote: »

William Hill paid out on Neymar first goalscorer

Eh, they all did
Own goals don't count in a first goalscorer market!

Good to see you know your rights when it comes to gambling......

kfallon

My favourite comment was Ray Houghton about Fred, "Fred has 70 international goals for his Country but I'm not sure what he offers!"

a) He hardly has international goals for his club
b) With 70 goals I think he might offer goals.....just a hunch!

colmufc

Aodhagan wrote: »

Would you really prefer to listen to Andy Townsend on ITV?

I don't give a damm who the back up commentator is as long as they call the players by there own names , I wish bbc had full rights to the world cup thankfully they have the Spain match tonight

colmufc

kfallon wrote: »

My favourite comment was Ray Houghton about Fred, "Fred has 70 international goals for his Country but I'm not sure what he offers!"

a) He hardly has international goals for his club
b) With 70 goals I think he might offer goals.....just a hunch!

he has 17 goals not 70 ,

kfallon

colmufc wrote: »

he has 17 goals not 70 ,

My bad!
How old is he now, I remember he was decent with Lyon about 5-6 years ago, can't believe him & Jo are the main CF's in that squad!

colmufc

kfallon wrote: »

My bad!
How old is he now, I remember he was decent with Lyon about 5-6 years ago, can't believe him & Jo are the main CF's in that squad!

he's 30 , ya it's fair bad when you need fred in the Brazil squad

Maximus Alexander

kfallon wrote: »

My bad!
How old is he now, I remember he was decent with Lyon about 5-6 years ago, can't believe him & Jo are the main CF's in that squad!

Linky

:pac:

Leslie91

Not sure if has been mentioned but whatever about the ref's performance what about the Croatian keeper!?

That lad did not look like he was trying all that hard esp with the 3rd goal.

Maybe he was in need of a few bob pre-tournament?

Leslie91

colmufc wrote: »

are you kidding g he called hulk "fred" he called gustavo "thiago silva" and said after Neymar that he is not the top scorer in the competition when his 1st goal did that , unfortunately I'm stuck watching rte for most of the games , he was a absolutely joke during the champions league final also he has no idea who the players are time for him to retire , I also hate the way he constantly goes quite for 30+ seconds and then pipes up with a stupid statement

We v nearly had a 'danger here' at one point but he pulled back from the brink.

kfallon

colmufc wrote: »

he's 30 , ya it's fair bad when you need fred in the Brazil squad

And Jo as his back up!

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Linky

:pac:

Yeh good man, can you come round and clean me gaff now seeing as you want to be so helpful?

kfallon

Just wait til Ger Canning gets a game or two to commentate on :pac:

Hope Jimmy Magee is back too

colmufc

kfallon wrote: »

Just wait til Ger Canning gets a game or two to commentate on :pac:

Hope Jimmy Magee is back too

canning is better than Hamilton , at least he trys

Maximus Alexander

kfallon wrote: »

Yeh good man, can you come round and clean me gaff now seeing as you want to be so helpful?

I'll pass. That sounds like a lot more effort than typing three words.

Corholio

Am I the only one who thought it was a clear foul on the keeper for the disallowed goal? Im shocked to see so much controversy about it. He clearly put his arm across Cesar.

Pudsy33

Corholio wrote: »

Am I the only one who thought it was a clear foul on the keeper for the disallowed goal? Im shocked to see so much controversy about it. He clearly put his arm across Cesar.

He didn't, he got his head there first. I hate the amount of protection afforded to goalkeepers, it's ridiculous.

That_Guy

Corholio wrote: »

Am I the only one who thought it was a clear foul on the keeper for the disallowed goal? Im shocked to see so much controversy about it. He clearly put his arm across Cesar.

If you're gonna give fouls for players attacking the ball then you'd have to start giving fouls all over the pitch where, if anything, more contact is made when two players are jumping for a 50-50 ball.

Son Of A Vidic

Sacramento wrote: »

When I saw it, it was definitely scuffed, can't find the replay but he definitely didn't hit it properly at all. Just throwing my opinion in as I was watching it with a few people and we all thought the same.

I just found this Gif which gives an even better view of the shot. And I'm still not seeing any sign of a scuffed shot from Neymar. His left boots contact with the ball looks absolutely fine to me.





Now perhaps intoxication may have led some to believe it was scuffed. But the only scuffed shot last night, was during the OG for Croatia.



Now that's a scuffed shot/miss hit in my books. But for the Neymar strike? Nope, I just can't see any evidence of a scuff/miss hit.

Ferris_Bueller

Feels like a lot of people are bitter towards Brazil for some reason, I know Croatia were underdogs and a very likeable team but some posters seem to be taking it to heart that Brazil bet them.

Overall I thought Brazil were the slight better team, but a draw would have been a fair result. All 4 goals were 'lucky' if you think about them.

It was a shocking call from the referee for the peno, should never have been given, but apart from that I don't think he made any howlers, although he was more lenient towards Brazil throughout.

OnTheCouch wrote: »

I really don't want a repeat of 2002, I am shocked that a bigger investigation did not take place after that, as there were so many highly dubious decisions.

Any chance you can tell me a bit more about this, even by PM. Was only about 10 at the time so didn't notice it going on.

ebbsy

Tv replays needed for inside the box incidents. Although overall the ref only reffed one side and it was not Brazil.

kfallon

Ferris_Bueller wrote: »

Any chance you can tell me a bit more about this, even by PM. Was only about 10 at the time so didn't notice it going on.

Just try catch the highlights of all the Korea games

jmayo

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

Even their names are boring. Gone are the days of Bebeto, Taffarel and Roberto Carlos to be replaced by Fred and Bernard.

Nevermind Junior, Socrates, Zico, Eder, Toninho Cerezo, Falcao.

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

Original Ronaldo now would do a better job than Fred for Brazil... If I was the manager I'd stick Hulk up front and bring in Lucas or Willian on the wing and send Fred back to the dole office.

Fecking hell Pele on his viagra would probably be more active and do more on the ball.

A Primal Nut wrote: »

What were the lads on about "invisible line".

It was invisible, that's why you couldn't see it.

LETS BE AVN IT wrote: »

Unreal game maybe the best ever opening match . Brazil deserved winners and fair play to croatia for turning up Neymar is special cant wait for next game can see Mexico getting second.

Seeing that your location is Waterford.
Get down to Bausch & Lomb before they close and ask them for some contact lens for jaysus sake.

Beefy78

If the pen isn't given then I don't think there's any controversy around the disllowed goal. That is a foul 99 times out of 100 in top level football. It shouldn't be a foul, IMO, but all refs will give it.

That it happened so soon after a shameful refereeing decision at the other end gave the impression that Croatia couldn't get a decision.

kfallon

Beefy78 wrote: »

If the pen isn't given then I don't think there's any controversy around the disllowed goal. That is a foul 99 times out of 100 in top level football. It shouldn't be a foul, IMO, but all refs will give it.

That it happened so soon after a shameful refereeing decision at the other end gave the impression that Croatia couldn't get a decision.

And didn't the pen happen shortly after Olic was clipped by Alves too

Moneymaker

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

I just found this Gif which gives an even better view of the shot. And I'm still not seeing any sign of a scuffed shot from Neymar. His left boots contact with the ball looks absolutely fine to me.

Pletikosa could have thrown his cap on that shot if he wasn't a complete clown.

Defending the indefensible. It wasn't a good effort on goal.

Oscar's effort that was saved was a 10x better strike.

Corholio

Pudsy33 wrote: »

He didn't, he got his head there first. I hate the amount of protection afforded to goalkeepers, it's ridiculous.

Nope he didn't. Watch it again, his back bumps Cesar's head before he heads it. The protection offers to keepers is too much at times but if you make contact and effect the keepers movement it's always a foul.

Corholio

Ferris_Bueller wrote: »

Feels like a lot of people are bitter towards Brazil for some reason, I know Croatia were underdogs and a very likeable team but some posters seem to be taking it to heart that Brazil bet them.

Overall I thought Brazil were the slight better team, but a draw would have been a fair result. All 4 goals were 'lucky' if you think about them.

It was a shocking call from the referee for the peno, should never have been given, but apart from that I don't think he made any howlers, although he was more lenient towards Brazil throughout.

This sums it up really. Don't know why Brazil seem to be at the end of scorn from some people. Brazil were the better team and the penalty was extremely harsh and shouldn't have been given, but besides Modric and Rakitic's nice play in the centre, they didn't do a whole lot. Jelavic was barely noticeable on the pitch, much like Fred.

Son Of A Vidic

Moneymaker wrote: »

Pletikosa could have thrown his cap on that shot if he wasn't a complete clown.

Defending the indefensible. It wasn't a good effort on goal.

Oscar's effort that was saved was a 10x better strike.

If you think the keeper could have saved the shot with his hat? I'm guessing you had a really good night last night. And if that qualifies as not a good effort on goal as you suggest, man, you must have the bar set real high.

FourFourRED

Being the better team doesn't justify it.

kevohmsford

The referee made a few poor decisions. The penalty given was never a penalty. Croatia had a goal disallowed which should have stood and Neymar was lucky not to have received a red card.
Still glad the tournament is now underway.

Benimar

My tuppence worth:
1. Neymar could have been sent off but I don't have a big problem with the yellow card. Will players get sent off for similar offences in the tournament? Probably.
2. The 'penalty' was an absolute joke. I was watching the game in the pub and 20 minutes before it happened I was saying that the ref would give Brazil a soft penalty. I don't buy the 'refs are only human' line, it never looked like a penalty. Freds dive was so bad that the ref wasn't duped, he didn't get conned, he just made a complete 'homer' decision. I hope its a once off because if not it could ruin the competition.
3. I'd have allowed the Croatia goal. Keepers are way overprotected and to me it was a fair challenge for the ball. Having said that, 99 times out of 100 the keeper will get the free out, wrongly in my view.
4. The Croatia keeper should have stopped all three.
5. Oscar and Modric were the best players on the pitch.

Ush1

Great class and dignity from Scolari, gesturing like a lunatic at the ref to get opposition players booked....and that mans won a world cup....

SantryRed

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

I just found this Gif which gives an even better view of the shot. And I'm still not seeing any sign of a scuffed shot from Neymar. His left boots contact with the ball looks absolutely fine to me.





Now perhaps intoxication may have led some to believe it was scuffed. But the only scuffed shot last night, was during the OG for Croatia.

Now that's a scuffed shot/miss hit in my books. But for the Neymar strike? Nope, I just can't see any evidence of a scuff/miss hit.

I'm sorry Corvus, but the first is a scuff. You can see how it leaves his foot. If the Croat keeper moves his feet, he easily stops that going in.

And how can you expect Marcelo to get his standing foot out of the way so quickly after the deflection from Jelavic?