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Croatia overtook Japan on penalties on Monday following a 1-1 draw after extra time, before tournament favorites and five-time champions Brazil sent a notable message to their rivals with a 4-1 victory over South Korea. Dalic, who led Croatia to 2018 final, had said that after the victory over Japan, he’d rather face off against South Korea than Brazil for a place in the semi-finals.
Despite this though, on the soccer field, Croatia has been punching above its weight for years, ever since it finished third in 1998 in its first World Cup as an independent nation, right up to reaching the 2018 finals in Russia.
So Croatia has a good chance entering into a quarterfinal against five-time champion Brazil on Friday.
“Never underestimate Croatia. Croatia is a small nation. But we are brave, defiant and loyal,” Dalić said. “We will always give everything we’ve got, especially this generation of players.”
“I think we have a great exam ahead of us, a tough task against the team which plays great soccer with so many good, quality and fast players.”
At the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, Croatia came from behind three times to advance after extra time in the knockout rounds before losing to France in the final. They beat Denmark and Russia on penalties and saw off England in extra time en route to the final and that resilience was needed again to subdue a battling Japan side.
“Brazil have self-confidence, a splendid atmosphere in the team, which is visible, as well as top players… However, we will not give in. I think we have nothing to fear,” Dalic added.
“We need to enter the match with much faith, self-confidence and looking for our chances, enjoy the occasion of playing Brazil, that’s it. (It’s) too early, if only it were the final.
“It is a great team, but I believe that we can challenge them, we need to be smart… The match is not 50-50, but we are also not outsiders.”
With experience from the last World Cup, Croatia can’t be completely ruled out to be a true contender to Brazil. Who do you think will emerge victorious in tonight’s match!
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