Iceland lock horns with Croatia in win or bust clash
GELENDZHIK : Nothing less than a win will do for Iceland against Croatia if they are to emulate their Euro 2016 success by making it to the knockout stage at their first World Cup, but it will be a tall order against a familiar foe that leads Group D.
The Croatians, who outclassed Argentina with a 3-0 win, are through already and will top the group with a win or a draw against Iceland at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don.
Having drawn with Argentina in their opener, Iceland then lost 2-0 to Nigeria, meaning they need to beat the Croatians, hope Nigeria fail to beat Argentina, and also earn themselves a better goal difference than Nigeria or Argentina. A Nigeria win would send the Icelanders and Argentinians both home. Iceland and Croatia know each other well, with coach Heimir Hallgrimsson likening the pair to old flames due to the number of times they have met in recent years.
“We’ve played Croatia four times in four years, we’ve often said we’re like a married couple we’re trying to get divorced, but we always meet up again,” the Iceland coach said.
Hallgrimsson is expecting a tough game, but the challenge will be to get more out of a goalshy attack in a team that has drawn two and lost four of its last six games, while creative spark Gylfi Sigurdsson struggled with a knee injury. The Everton midfielder missed a penalty against Nigeria, and his team will need him to do more.
Croatia have no such issues, coasting to a 2-0 victory over Nigeria before stunning 2014 runners-up Argentina, and their fluid, attacking football has made them one of the most attractive sides in the competition.
ICELAND COACH TURNS OFF CELLPHONE
Iceland’s coach isn’t dwelling on worldwide media attention, potential offers from big clubs, or even the prospect of having a hand in eliminating Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Hallgrimsson has even switched off his cellphone on the eve of the must-win match against Croatia. The 51-year-old coach said as pressure mounts in Russia, he’s also made sure players take regular breaks and have some fun, and stick to a routine drilled into him as a youth coach that includes placing training cones on the pitch during practice. “As everyone knows I’ve been training with kids. You have to do it all yourself. I know not many trainers put things up on the pitch, but this is something I want to do,” Hallgrimsson said.