Host nation has visions of lifting trophy
IT does not matter that only a few Russian fans expected the hosts to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, midfielder Alexander Golovin is already thinking about the final.
The breakout star never doubted the team would perform well, even before defeat- ing Spain on penalties in the round of 16 to set up a match with Croatia in Sochi early tomorrow.
“We knew that everything was possible,” Golovin said.
“Even before the tournament we all understood that we could reach the final, we seriously counted on this and see this as the real state of things for us now.”
Croatia also reached the quarter-finals on penalties after overcoming a spirited Denmark and it is aiming to match its best World Cup performance — third in 1998.
Defender Domagoj Vida believes Croatia can take full advantage of being on what’s widely considered the easier side of the bracket.
“Now we are in the quarterfinals, which is a big success for us,” Vida said.
“But our goals are higher. God willing, we would like to lift the World Cup trophy and that’s why we are here.”
The winner will play England or Sweden in the semifinals. Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was Croatia’s star in the round of 16 with three saves in the shootout.
Subasic is predicting Russia will repeat its defensive style from the Spain game.
“We expect a tough match, as all the others,” he said.
Golovin predicts Croatia will offer Russia more opportunities to score because of its style.
“They don’t have the aim of controlling the ball during the whole match. Their goal is to reach a result,” he said.
“And in this sense it’s easier to play with such a team, in my opinion.”