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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Croatia ease past Slovakia as Wales edge Azerbaijan

Euro 2020

Bratislava, Sept. 6, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) World Cup runners-up Croatia stayed on course to qualify for Euro 2020 after a dominant display gave them a 4-0 Group E win in Slovakia.

In another fixture, Wales kept alive their own hopes after a 2-1 home victory over Azerbaijan on Friday.

Croatia are level with Hungary at the top of a tight group with both teams on nine points from four games, three ahead of Wales and Slovakia.

Azerbaijan have no points.

The Croatians hit the woodwork three times in the first half in Trnava and Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka pulled off several good saves.

However, Nikola Vlasic fired the visitors ahead in the 45th minute with his first international goal.

The midfielder took the ball in his stride and fired a stinging low shot past Dubravka from 20 metres after the home side had survived a fierce Croatian onslaught.

Ivan Perisic, who hit the crossbar and the post in the first half, made it 2-0 less than a minute after the break when his heavily-deflected shot from 25 metres left Dubravka stranded.

Striker Bruno Petkovic added the third with a simple close-range finish after a flowing move as Croatia kept their feet on the pedal.
OSlovakia could only muster a pair of shots from Robert Mak at the other end.

Defender Dejan Lovren put the icing on the cake for Croatia with a diving header from a tight angle in the 89th minute.

A bizarre Pavlo Pashayev own goal fired Wales ahead in the 26th minute as Gareth Bale’s deflected shot looped into the air and went in off the defender’s shoulder with keeper Salahat Agayev coming off his line to smother the ball.

Mahir Emreli silenced the home crowd in Cardiff when he capitalised on Neil Taylor’s blunder and beat Wayne Hennessey at the second attempt, slamming in the rebound after the Wales keeper parried his initial effort.

But the Welsh had the last laugh as Bale beat Agayev with a looping header in the 84th minute after a deflected Joe Allen effort fell kindly into his path. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Sport

France out to rectify Euro 2016 mistakes in World Cup final – Pogba

Mistakes

Moscow, July 12, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) France are determined not to make the same mistakes they did two years ago in losing the Euro 2016 final.

France will take on Croatia for the biggest prize in football, and midfielder Paul Pogba said on Thursday that he wants the team to banish their 2016 devil.

France face the Croats in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, but they are rejecting the favourites tag which cost them dearly two years ago, he said.

The French beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final setting up an encounter in Paris against then-underdogs Portugal, who stunned them 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.

“We are conscious of the situation, we do not want to make the same mistakes like two years ago.

“We want to work for it, to give everything we have to take this Cup home,” Pogba told reporters.

“I think at the Euro we thought it was already a done deal, the mentality was not the same as now.

“I cannot lie that when we beat Germany we thought that was the final. I know the taste of losing a final. I don’t want it to happen again.

“Against Portugal we thought we had won it before the start of the game. That will not happen again.”

France have been improving throughout the tournament and have beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds without needing extra time or penalties.

Croatia needed spot kicks to advance against Denmark in the last 16 and against Russia in the quarter-finals.

“They then came from a goal down against England on Wednesday to win 2-1 in extra time.

“That is not a sign of a struggling team, according to Pogba, but one that has a lot of talent.

“The Croats had a very difficult match and they were behind. But they are mentally very strong. There are two teams in the final, a Cup and there are 90 minutes more.

“For us, we are not the favourites. We stay as we are from the start of the tournament. We have no doubts, we play together, that’s our strength. We are chasing something and will do everything to succeed.”

France, world champions in 1998 after beating Croatia in the semis, are in their third World Cup final. It is unknown territory for Croatia however.

“For sure the Croats they want the star (for winning the title) they have had a good run.

“They want to win. But I have no star either although there is one on my shirt. I want mine.”

Pogba said while Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was their driving force the French plan would not be limited to stopping the Real Madrid playmaker.

“The Croats are not just Modric. They have (Mario) Mandzukic, (Ivan) Rakitic and (Ivan) Perisic,” Pogba said.

“Even their defenders are outstanding players. I don’t think there is a plan just for Modric. The plan is to win the match.” (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Sport

World Cup: High-flying Croatia favourites to knock out Danes

World Cup: High-flying Croatia favourites to knock out Danes

Knock-out

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), June 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Croatia go into Sunday’s last 16 match against Denmark with a 100 per cent record at this World Cup, but the Danes are vowing to shake off their dull image and cause a surprise.

At stake in the match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is a quarter-final against former world champions Spain or tournament hosts Russia.

The same venue was where the Croats thumped Argentina 3-0 in the group stage.

Captained by experienced playmaker Luka Modric, Croatia also beat Nigeria and Iceland to top Group D and are now dreaming of going one better than their performance at the 1998 tournament where they reached the semi-finals.

“I was nine-years-old. I remember my mum screaming in the house when we scored,” said defender Dejan Lovren, recalling Croatia’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands in 1998 that secured third place.

“We can beat that, definitely, but we need luck. We have a good opponent in the next round, it will be difficult,” said Lovren.

In addition to scoring a superb long-range strike against Argentina, Modric has been outstanding in Russia, as has fellow midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

But the ‘old guard’ have been complemented by a younger generation – such as Ante Rebic, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic – who all play in Europe’s top leagues.

The Danes, meanwhile, are happy to continue flying under the radar, buoyed by a 17-match unbeaten run.

Having scored just two goals in navigating their way out of Group C as runners-up, the Danes expect to open up on Sunday.

They too are seeking to match their 1998 achievement when they reached the quarter-finals before being beaten by Brazil in what was their best World Cup showing.

Denmark coach, Age Hareide, has promised a more entertaining, attacking style against Croatia after their own fans jeered them in a bore draw against France.

For that creative energy, he will rely heavily on key player Christian Eriksen.

“We know that we don’t seem like the most fearsome bunch to go up against,” said midfielder Thomas Delaney.

“We’re not going to lose 5-0 by trying to play tiki-taka football. But people shouldn’t get used to seeing us play like we did against France.

“It’s seldom that we play like this, and the game against Croatia will be a very different spectacle,” enthused Delaney. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/ERO/SA

Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Salif Atojoko

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Sport

Croatia crush Argentina 3-0 to reach knockout stage

Victory

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), June 21, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Classy Croatia handed Argentina a 3-0 drubbing to claim a place in the World Cup knockout stage on Thursday.

The Europeans stunned Argentina, thanks to goals by Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in their Group D match in Novgorod.

Rebic seized on a gaffe by keeper Willy Caballero to open the way to victory for the Balkan side.

The goal was followed by a superb strike from outside the area by captain Modric 10 minutes from time with Rakitic putting the icing on the cake in added time.

Twice champions Argentina, with Lionel Messi in their ranks,  face a struggle to reach the last 16 even  after taking one point from their first two games.

Croatia top the group with six points and they have five goals in the bag.

Argentina’s woes began when Caballero picked up a backpass and inexplicably lobbed it towards Rebic, who twisted in the air to whack in a volley in the 53rd minute.

Said Modric at the end of it all: “In the end our victory looks easy but it wasn’t that easy. I think the win was fully deserved, but it wasn’t easy. That first goal, in the second half, followed a mistake. It was a shot in the arm for us – we played a perfect game and you need a perfect game to beat such a great team. We cut off Messi, stopped him receiving the ball, he’s their most dangerous player.”

“The most important objective has been realised. We’ve got to take it game by game, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This win will boost our confidence for the coming games. It’s going to be tough but let’s avoid euphoria, give it a wide berth and keep our feet firmly on the ground to prepare for the next matches,”added Modric, who was also the Budweiser Man of the Match.

(Reuters/NAN)

KIA

Sport

Argentina’s Messi seeks redemption against dangerous Croatia

Argentina’s Messi seeks redemption against dangerous Croatia
Redemption
Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), June 19, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Stung by his failure to avert a disappointing draw against Iceland, Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi would love to make amends in their World Cup Group D match against Croatia on Thursday.
But the Croatians go into the game in ebullient mood after a comfortable 2-0 win over Nigeria.
They would look to add to the frustrations of Messi who has failed to replicate the glories of his Barcelona career on the international stage.
Having led Argentina to an agonising final defeat by Germany four years ago, Messi who turns 31 in a few days may be playing his last World Cup.
He would need to win it to rival fellow great Diego Maradona for the eternal love of his compatriots.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has unashamedly turned to midfielder Ivan Rakitic – a team mate of Messi’s at Barcelona – for ideas and tactics to stop him.
“I will use all the information I can,” he said, declaring Rakitic his temporary “assistant” before the game.
“There is no perfect way to stop Lionel Messi … he is the greatest player in the world.
“But while one excellent player can make a great result, a great team does the job much better … We will go into the game a little bit more relaxed than them.”
Those who followed closely Argentina’s shaky qualification for the World Cup were not so shocked by the result against Iceland.
They also do not expect the South Americans to roll over Croatia inspite their abundance of individual talent.
For reasons hard to fathom, they have looked ponderous and lacking in creative thrust throughout coach Jorge Sampaoli’s year in charge.
This is in spite boasting of Messi and other big names like Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria.
“We will learn from what happened and we have to have the strength to win the next game,” Sampaoli said after the Iceland defeat, seeking to stir his team into collective greatness.
Nevertheless, it is 32 years since Argentina last won the World Cup and 25 since their last silverware, the Copa America in 1993.
Croatia themselves are not short on top-quality players. As well as Rakitic, they also have the talented Luka Modric in midfield, and towering hitman Mario Madzukic up front.
With their strongest squad for years and in pole position in the group, Croatia dream of rivaling the glories of 1998.
They reached the World Cup semi-finals and finished third after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the playoff in France. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/ERO/ABI
Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Ali Inuwa.

Sport

First match crucial to Eagles’ progression, say football enthusiasts

First match crucial to Eagles’ progression, say football enthusiasts

Super Eagles

By Kayode Adebiyi
Abuja, June 12, 2018 (NAN) A cross-section of Nigerians have expressed hope that the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, would progress beyond the group stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday at the popular Banex Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja noted that winning their first match would boost their morale.
“For me, if we win our first match against Croatia, we stand a good chance of qualifying for the second round,” said Edoh Michael, a hair stylist and die-hard Eagles supporter.
NAN reports that Nigeria is in Group D, alongside arch-rivals Argentina, newcomers Iceland and 1998 World Cup bronze winners Croatia.
One of Michael’s customers, who identified herself simply as Rose, supported his opinion, saying four points might be enough to qualify from the tough group.
“If Argentina picks maximum points, then a win and a draw could be good enough to send the second team through to the second round,” Rose said.
Two teams are expected to progress from the group stage from each of the eight groups.
On his part, Femi Alo, a software service provider, hoped that the Eagles would “get something” from the match against Croatia, even if it is a draw.
He argued that being the first match; both teams could be nervous and cagy, thereby being cautious.
“It will be nice to win the first match but at least even if we can get a draw, it won’ be bad. My own is that we should get something from the match as against a loss,” said Alo.
He, however, warned that the Super Eagles should be mindful of the calibre of players paraded by Croatia and approach the game with a good plan.
“They have big names such as Modric, Perisic, Rakitic, Mandzukic and Kovacic.
“We need to be careful and approach the game with caution. People are talking about Argentina but Croatia presents their own threat,” he advised.
Other respondents who spoke with NAN were optimistic about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stage.
Many also appealed to fellow Nigerians and Eagles’ fans not to be discouraged by the dismal results recorded by the team during their pre-World Cup warm-up matches.
“We should not judge the team by friendly matches,” Ayanacho Chidi, a phone vendor, advised.
“Maybe they didn’t want to get injured or don’t want eyes to be on them,” he added.
NAN reports that the 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks-off on Thursday, with the host nation taking on Saudi Arabia, who are the lowest-ranked team in the 32-nation tournament.
The Super Eagles would lock horns with Croatia on June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium on the Oktyabrsky Island, a must win match for Nigeria.
In the buildup to the World Cup, Nigeria won two out of six build up matches against Argentina and Poland, but lost to Serbia, England and Czech Republic.
Nigeria also recorded a draw 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on May 28. (NAN)
KIA/ERO/SA

Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Salif Atojoko
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Sport

2018 World Cup draw: Football enthusiasts say Nigeria’s group decent, but tricky

NAN-S-1

Draw

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Dec. 2, 2017 (NAN) A section of football enthusiasts in Nigeria has described the country’s 2018 World Cup group draw as “decent, but tricky”.

Nigeria was on Friday in Moscow drawn alongside Argentina in the preliminary stage  for the fifth time in the Super Eagles’ six appearances at the FIFA World Cup finals.

The Super Eagles were drawn alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D.

Some of the football enthusiasts, who spoke with NAN in Abuja on Saturday, said the Super Eagles stood a good chance of making it out of the group.

They, however, urged the national team to tread cautiously and not take any of their opponents for granted.

Tunde Popoola, the Secretary General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), said:“We were worried about getting one of the big names; I wanted a balanced group and I think we’ve got that.

“We have a decent group, but we must be cautious.

“Nothing will be easy, but it is a group in which we have a chance and so we must begin our work,” he said.

Musa Talle, the Chairman, FCT Football Association, said: “Argentina are really strong, but beatable just like we saw recently.

“There are places where we can hurt them.

“The other two teams, Croatia and Iceland, I‘m not too familiar with.

“But I think it’s a good enough draw.

“Having said that, we have to work hard and not judge anybody.

“You can’t go to a World Cup and think that a particular opponent is easy. That would be a great mistake,” he said.

Paul Bassey, the Chairman, Akwa United Football Club, said: “It’s a very deceptive and treacherous group.

“We have to accept that we are one of the favourites, but if you look at the group in a more detailed manner, you can see it’s a very difficult one.

“Argentina are naturally favourites, as I’ve always said. They are a great team, with the best player in history (Lionel Messi) and a host of top-level footballers.

“Our other opponents – Croatia and Iceland – are unpredictable sides. With them, you don’t know what you’re going to get and that makes them very dangerous as well,” he said.

Mansur Abdullahi, an Assistant Coach with Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s national team, Falconets, said, “I cannot say whether or not I am happy with the draw. The group is what it is.

“My emotions before and after the draw are the same. I smiled when we got Argentina because I kind of had them at the back of my mind.

“We beat them 4-2 in a friendly match in Russia and that makes this match a very mouth-watering and nervy encounter as both teams will be looking to prove a point.

“This is indeed a fine group. We don’t know what to expect from Croatia and Iceland, but all we know is that they are very disciplined and stubborn teams to have been able to make it to the World Cup finals.

“So, we must not take them for granted as they are the ‘dark horses’ in the group,” he said.

Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter on his part said, “I like the group, I think it’s an interesting one with very good teams that try to play.

“I think that can fit in well with our character. I think it suits us.

“Our first match against Croatia will be decisive. It looks difficult on paper, but nothing is impossible in football.

“We have to believe in ourselves and continue with the same dynamism. It’s going to be marvellous,” he said.

Nduka Ugbade, an ex-international and former Assistant Coach of the Flying Eagles noted that Argentina were not going to be the only difficult opponents in the group, as the other two could turn out to be tough opponents as well.

“We must be prepared for Iceland; they are awkward opponents.

“Croatia have always had good individuals and this time they have formed a good group.

“It’s always good to have one entertaining opponent in your group and Argentina are one, without question.

“Our opponents will go there with few obligations and a lot of enthusiasm because the World Cup has given them a unique opportunity.

“It could have been better, but it could also have been worse.

“I think we can navigate our way into the knockout stages but it’s going to be tough.

“Argentina are the favourites of course, but I am confident we won’t roll over,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo took to his Twitter handle to express his opinion on the draw.

He said: “I am happy that we are not going to play Brazil and Germany in the first round.

“With this draw, we have a good chance of qualifying from the group.

“It’s a tough group and we have to work really hard.”

NAN reports that Nigeria will take on Croatia on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Iceland on June 22 in Volgograd, and Argentina on June 26 in St. Petersburg.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick-off on June 14 and last until July 15.(NAN)

VO/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim