Russia’s confidence sky-high for date with Croatia
Russia’s Alexander Golovin, left, is looking past Saturday’s match.
MOSCOW— It doesn’t matter that few Russian football fans ever expected the hosts to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, midfielder Alexander Golovin is already thinking about the final.
The creative breakout star for Russia never doubted the home team would perform well — long before it beat Spain on penalties in the round of 16, setting up a matchup with Croatia in Sochi on Saturday.
“We knew that everything was possible,” he said Wednesday. “Even before the beginning of 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 Danish team, and is now aiming to match its best-ever World Cup: it made the semifinals in 1998.
Defender Domagoj Vida believes Croatia can take full advantage of being on the easier side of the bracket.
“Now we are in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, which is a big success for us,” he 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 Sweden or England in the semifinals.
Keeper Danijel Subasic was Croatia’s star in the round of 16, with three saves in the shootout. He’s predicting Russia will repeat its defensive style from the Spain game, when the Spanish had possession of the ball 75 per cent of the game, but couldn’t break through Russia’s deep and dedicated defence.
“I expect a defensive-minded Russia,” he said. “We expect a tough match, as all the others.”
Golovin predicts Croatia will offer Russia more opportunities to score because of its style, compared to Spain’s endless passing.
“They don’t have the aim of controlling the ball during the whole match. Their goal is to reach a result,” Golovin said. “And in this sense it’s easier to play with such a team, in my opinion.”