Croat Subasic aces penalties’ test
GOALKEEPERS’ NIGHT With a Cup record of three saves in a shootout, he edges out Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel who stopped two during the tiebreaker TIEBREAKER HEROES NIZHNY NOVGOROD: After (Luka) Modric’s missed penalty, we all harked back to Vienna and that situation where we lost in 2008 (to Turkey in Euro quarterfinals).
ZLATKO DALIC , Croatia coach POSSESSION (%) FOULS OFFSIDES CORNERS YELLOW CARDS
When Russia take on Croatia in a World Cup quarter-final on Saturday 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, Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saved three shots in the penalties against Denmark here. “He 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 tie-breaker 3-2.
Watched by his father and former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Kasper Schmeichel 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 goalkeeper. Denmark’s Norwegian coach Age Hareide said: “Kasper did all he could to ensure we won, both in extra-time and the penalty shootout.”
The Croatia-Denmark game started with goals shared within the first four minutes. Denmark went ahead in the first minute after a huge throw-in by Jonas Knudsen sent the ball into the penalty area where Croatia were in some disarray. Thomas Delaney nudged it to Mathias Jorgensen, who took a shot; it bounced off a couple of Croatia players and Subasic and went in.
Croatia’s answer three minutes later was also bizarre. Denmark’s Henrik Dalsgaard attempted to clear the ball but spanked it into the head of teammate Andreas Christensen. It caromed back to Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic, who scored from a couple yards out.
But the game petered out and for the second time on Sunday, extra-time was needed. Four minutes from the penalties, Croatia, despite an under-par performance, had a tantalising opportunity to win it outright.
Modric passed from the halfway line to a streaking Ante Rebic. He beat Schmeichel and raced toward the goal. Jorgensen brought down Rebic and a penalty was awarded.But Modric’s penalty kick was not strong, and Schmeichel came up with a huge save, holding onto the ball to prevent a rebound.
“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.
And so the two teams went on to the shootout, which turned into a display of solid goalkeeping guesswork. Each side had two of its first four shots blocked though this time Modric scored.
“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.
Then came the fifth round of theshootout.NicolaiJorgensen’s bid to score for Denmark was saved by Subasic, his third 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. It sparked huge celebrations in Zagreb. Fans, many of whom were dressed in Croatia’s red-and-white shirts, sang patriotic songs, lit flares and waved Croatian flags.
Croatia can match the achievements of the 1998 team, who reached the semi-finals, if they beat Russia. In the stands on Sunday was Davor Suker one of the heroes of that campaign and winner of the Golden Boot with six goals. Regulation time: Mandžukić 4’
Scored Missed
Eriksen
Kjaer Krohn-Dehli Schöne Jørgensen Off target
8 54 5
2
5
0 (1)
On target
14 (1)
Badelj Kramarić Modrić Pivarić Rakitić Off target
10
Regulation time: Jørgensen
1' On target
6 46 19 0 4 1
9
8 6
5 6 2 He didn’t play a World Cup match before or after Italia 90 but what he did there is folklore. Then 27, he saved two penalties in the quarter-finals against Yugoslavia. The Argentinian repeated the feat in the semi-final against Italy but couldn’t save the only penalty of the final vs Germany.