IT’S DO-OR-DIE FOR CANADA AGAINST CROATIA IN GROUP GROUP F
We have to be very fast and adopt an aggressive attitude: Croatia’s Perisic
CANADA’S head coach John Herdman said that his team will need to perform in the must-win encounter against 2018 World Cup finalist Croatia for a realistic chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the World Cup 22 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
In Group F, Croatia and Morocco are tied for first place, with Belgium leading the way with three points and Canada trailing with none. All four teams are still in contention to advance to the knockout stage.
Herdman said at a press conference at the QNCC on Saturday, “Our team is ready to go, and it will be one of the defining moments for Canada in this world cup. It’s one of those games where we have to perform well to stay in the tournament, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
“We’ve been waiting 36 years to get here. There is no need for inspiration. We’re playing Croatia in the World Cup, against players like Luka Modric. What a moment.”
“We are in a really clear bright place, and anyone who knows how I operate knows I am on mission, next task, training sessions, meetings, and I am loving the experience.”
In response to his remarks, a Croatian tabloid ran a fullpage photo of a naked Herdman with maple leaves covering his mouth and private parts.
Herdman, who had previously admitted that his fervent remarks had not been particularly respectful of Croatia, laughed off the Croatian tabloid story on Sunday. “My wife is coming after you. She wishes she had that guy,” he grinned. “I’ve got a little more of a stomach than that.”
At the press conference with Hederman, Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio said about the match, “It will be a very hard game, but it is the kind of game we want to play, we have been waiting for this moment in our lives, we are ready.”
Canada, who impressed against FIFA’s second-ranked side Belgium, is confident of matching the Modricc-Kovacic and Brozovic connection and presenting a new challenge.
“It was exciting at times to play Bermuda, and now we’re here.”
“I think we were underdogs in this group before the tournament, but we outplayed Belgium, so anything can happen in this group,” Eustaquio said.
Provoked Croatian coach Dalic described the Canadians as a “serious team” in their first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
“They covered a lot of distance (against Belgium) and showed great effort and energy... we have to be cautious.
“If you look at the tournament, many of the teams that were underdogs are now great.. .you cannot enjoy the glory of the past, we have to be at our best.”
Croatian winger Ivan Perisic said Canada’s performance against Belgium was surprising and urged his team to be more aggressive.
“We have to be very fast and adopt an aggressive attitude, be energetic and if we play our game we will have a positive performance and outcome,” the Tottenham Hotspur player said.
Canada, competing in their second World Cup, hope to score their first goal in the tournament’s history. They qualified for the tournament in 1986, but were eliminated in the group stage with no wins and no goals.
We’ve been waiting 36 years to get here. There is no need for inspiration. We’re playing Croatia in the World Cup, against players like Luka Modric. What a moment. Canada coach John Herdman