Suker watches Croatia goalkeeper steal show
When Russia take on Croatia in Saturday’s quarter-final in Sochi, the goal scorers will have to compete for attention with the shot-stoppers. Sunday night ensured that.
Hours after Igor Akinfeev emerged shootout hero for Russia in Moscow, Davor Suker, one of Croatia’s heroes of the 1998 campaign and winner of the Golden Boot, watched goalkeeper Danijel Subasic save three shots in the penalties against Denmark here.
“He (Subasic) was our hero tonight. He pulled us out when we needed him most. Great thanks to him,” said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic after winning the tiebreaker 3-2.
Watched by his father and former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Kasper also saved three from the spot including one from Luka Modric in extra-time. “It’s a strange feeling — huge disappointment, but also enormous pride about our team,” said the 31-year-old Dane keeper. Denmark’s Norwegian coach Age Hareide said: “Kasper did all he could to ensure we won, both in extra-time and the shootout.”
“After Modric’s missed penalty, we all harked back to Vienna and that situation where we lost in 2008,” said Dalic, referring to an agonising shootout defeat to Turkey in their Euro 2008 quarter-final when Modric also missed.
“I am fascinated with his (Modric) determination to shoot after he missed in extra-time. He took the responsibility as a true captain, and it speaks volumes for Luka...,” said Dalic.
In the fifth round of the shootout, Nicolai Jorgensen’s bid to score for Denmark was saved by Subasic. This was his third save in the shootout. It was up to Schmeichel to yet again come through for Denmark but Ivan Rakitic beat him and Croatia entered the quarter-finals. Croatia can match the achievements of the 1998 team, that reached the semi-finals, if they beat Russia.