Tag: Zlatko Dalic

Categories
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS

Croatia coach Dalic urges modric to stay till 2024 Euros

Zlatko Dalic and Luka Modric

Mueez Ajao

– Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has said he believes Luka Modric will extend his international career to Euro 2024.

– The 37-year-old is set to extend his own national record by earning his 162nd cap in Saturday’s World Cup third-place playoff match against Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium.

– Although Modric has been in fine form during the finals in Qatar, speculation has grown that the midfielder could retire from representing his country.

Also Read: Messi leads Argentina to World Cup final with win over Croatia

– But speaking on Friday, Dalic said: “I hope that he will be with us.

– “I’m looking forward to that and I think it is quite certain that he will be — but Luka Modric will decide personally as well how he feels.

– “Knowing how he feels about football and the Croatia national team I’m quite sure he will, but it is his decision only.”

– Meanwhile, Dalic expressed concerns over the appointment of Qatari officials for the Morocco game with referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim supported by compatriots Taleb Al Marri and Saoud Al Maqaleh in addition to Brazilian fourth official Raphael Claus.

– Al-Jassim became the first Qatari to officiate a World Cup match when taking charge of the USMNT’s Group B clash against Wales last month, booking six players.

– Aged 35, he is one of the youngest referees at the finals having previously taken charge of games in the Chinese Super League, the Swiss Challenge League and the Qatar Stars League.

– “To be honest, FIFA has now taken on a huge risk on itself,” Dalic added. “I am not underestimating anyone, I hope that we will not be talking about the referee after the match.”

Categories
Uncategorized

Penalty awarded Argentina was too cheap – Croatia coach

Lionel Messi : Scored the penalty

As Croatia continue to lick the wound of their loss to Argentina in Tuesday’s quarter-finals match, Croatia’s coach, their coach has criticised the officiating.

Zlatko Dalic faulted the decision to award Argentina a penalty during the semi-final match they lost.

He said in an interview, “The first goal as very suspicious, to be honest. First, we had the situation with the corner. Apparently [we should have had] a corner, according to the reaction of our players. Then we had the situation with the penalty… It was a little bit too cheap and easy.”

Categories
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS

Croatia coach Dalic says Brazil’s quality is ‘terrifying’

Zlatko Dalic

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.

Also Read: Neymar scores as clinical Brazil thump South Korea to last-8

– “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.