Mueez Ajao
– Croatia are ready to challenge “terrifying favourites” Brazil in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday, says manager Zlatko Dalic.
– Dalic’s side came through extra time three times in the knockout rounds at the 2018 World Cup before losing 4-2 to France in the final.
– Croatia beat Japan in the last 16 on Monday on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
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– “Brazil is the favourite, let’s face it,” Dalic said.
– “Brazil is the most powerful and the best national team at the World Cup. What I’ve seen so far, when you take a look at their selection of players, their quality, skills and value, then it is indeed terrifying.
– “I think we have a great exam ahead of us, a tough task against the team which plays great soccer with so many good quality and fast players.”
– Dalic added that Croatia, ranked 12th in the world, winning the knock-out match would not be a huge upset.
– “I think we have nothing to fear,” Dalic said. “We need to enter the match with much faith, self-confidence and looking for our chances, enjoy the occasion of playing Brazil, that’s it. [It’s] too early, if only it were the final.
– “It is a great team, but I believe that we can challenge them, we need to be smart … The match is not 50-50, but we are also not outsiders.”
– Croatia would face Argentina or the Netherlands in the semi-finals if they beat Brazil.
