FOOTBALL

World Cup Predictions: Croatia vs Japan

Published

2 years ago

December 5, 2022

admin

Japan will draw inspiration from their fantastic group-stage victories against Germany and Spain when they come across another European opposition in the form of Croatia.

If the Blue Samurais can beat the Chequered Ones, they will be through to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history.

Croatia are yet to hit the highs of their 2018 World Cup campaign this time around, but they will feel they have a decent chance of extending their World Cup journey at Japan’s expense.

Japan engineered another miraculous comeback to beat Spain 2-1 in their final match and win their group against the odds.

Álvaro Morata gave Spain an early lead, but Ritsu Doan scored a stunner in the opening minutes of the second half to cancel it out. Ao Tanaka scored the second a few minutes later to turn the tie on its head.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has emerged as one of the brightest tactical minds in the tournament.

His brilliance in-game management has helped Japan to overcome deficits against Germany and Spain. So, even if they fall behind against Croatia in the early stage of the match on Monday evening, they will be confident of their chances of making a comeback.

Croatia did not lose to Japan in their previous two meetings at the World Cup.

But Zlatko Dalić’s side would be wary of Japan’s potent counter-attacking threat and their own struggles in front of the opposition goal.

The 2018 runner-ups would have crashed out of the tournament had Belgium taken their chances in the final Group F match.

Croatia failed to score in two of their three group matches. They did put four past Canada, but Croatia should expect a more compact rearguard awaiting them at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Croatia need to rediscover their scoring boots if they are to see off a highly spirited Japanese side.

The European team are currently on a nine-match run across all competitions. But that could come to an end if they don’t step up in the Round of 16.

Team News

Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to replace Ko Itakura in the starting XI.

Itakura is ineligible to play against Croatia as he picked up his second yellow card in the group stages in the Spain match.

Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo also might miss out as he struggles with a muscle injury. There is stiff competition in the Japanese attacking department, but Daichi Kamada should expect to keep his place in the starting lineup.

Croatia have a clean bill of health ahead of the game. But Luka Modrić and Dejan Lovren will be suspended for the quarterfinal should they get booked against Japan.

Andrej Kramarić and Marko Livaja both cut dismal figures against Belgium. So slots could open up in the Croatian attack for Bruno Petković, Nikola Vlašić, Mislav Orsic, or Mario Pašalić.

Our Prediction

Croatia did not look to be at their best in the World Cup other than the Canada match.

Japan could build on their group stage performance and secure their maiden voyage to the quarterfinals.

We foresee a 2-1 win for Japan.

Date: 5 December

Kickoff: 8:30 PM IST

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium

FOOTBALL

WATCH: Georgina Rodriguez makes huge claim on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement in Football

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

admin

Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim on the future of her husband and star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in Football. In a brief interaction with a host recently, Rodriguez was asked about the time left for Cristiano to make an impact at the highest level. Georgina looked honest in her approach to the question of the host and claimed something the fans would not love to hear.

Georgina claimed that the Portugal star has maybe one year more from him at the highest level. She felt that Ronaldo might play two more years before retiring and not more than that. She was however not sure if he would play for just one or two years and added that the Al Nassr star could also play more than that.

Watch the video of Georgina Rodriguez here –

🚨🎙️| Georgina Rodriguez on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Paris Fashion Week yesterday:

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”

(via @ArobaseGiovanny)pic.twitter.com/4dxw2j5DuC

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) March 3, 2024

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” said Rodriguez in the little chat she had with the host. The video has gone viral on X and the fans have started sharing it on different platforms. Some of the fans feel that Georgina might be right, while others feel that she could be wrong, given the fitness and longevity of the star player.

Legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo

On the 5th of February, Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday. He is currently one of the oldest players in the world. In the past, players at this age would have retired way back. But the fitness and consistency of Ronaldo make him play the sport as long as he wishes. In his career so far, Ronaldo has won many major leagues for Portugal and league teams like Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Manchester United.

With United, Portugal won some major leagues like the FA Cup and the Champions League. With Real Madrid, the 39-year-old won the leagues like the UCL, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. He won it three consecutive times for Real Madrid. For Portugal, Cristiano had a huge contribution to Portugal. He has the most number of appearances and goals for an international team and won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.

FOOTBALL

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham slapped with Red Card as he argued with referee

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

admin

Jude Bellingham shown Red Card (Image Credit: Twitter)

England and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham was slapped with a Red Card during the La Liga game against Valencia. In the game, the home team, Valencia was leading by 2-0 after 30 minutes before Madrid scored in the injury time of the first half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid while Hugo Duro (27′) and Roman Yaremchuk (30′) scored a goal each.

In the 76th minute, Junior scored an equalizer to keep the team in the game. However, in the injury time of the second half, Bellingham was given a red card as he argued with the referee against calling it a full-time before he could score. In reply, the match official decided to slap the England international with a Red Card. The team coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t happy with the verdict as the Three Lions player was making a pass at the time.

Jude Bellingham verbally abusing officials and other footballers at the slightest provocation needs to be talked about more. It’s embarrassing he gets applauded by Real Madrid Fans.

Mason Greenwood should’ve allowed La Liga to deal with this simp. pic.twitter.com/ixYSw6YxaC

— Herman Facundo© (@hermanfacundo_7) March 3, 2024

“I think what’s just happened is unprecedented. It’s never happened to me,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“We had possession of the ball and the match should have been finished when Valencia had the ball.

“What bothers us is the red card for Bellingham because he didn’t say anything insulting. He was frustrated of course,” said Ancelotti, adding that Bellingham had used a common English swearword when telling the referee it was a goal.

We are annoyed with Jude Bellingham’s Red Card: Carlo Ancelotti

“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card. He didn’t say any insults. He said in English ‘it’s a f—ing goal,’ but he was just saying what we were all thinking … [The referee] allowed play to continue. I think he made a mistake.”

“[Bellingham] was clear in what he said,” Ancelotti added. “He was quite vehement [in his reaction] but that’s normal, after what happened. It wasn’t an insult, not at all.”

FOOTBALL

PL 2023-24: MCFC vs MUFC Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Fantasy League Today’s Captain, Vice-Captain, and more for Manchester derby

Published

9 months ago

March 2, 2024

admin

Super Sunday is set to witness the Manchester Derby in the Premier League 2023-24. The match between Manchester City (MCFC) and Manchester United (MUFC) is set to take place in Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. The two teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. The fortunes of City changed ever since Pep Guardiola took over the club as the manager.

While the home side are placed in the second position in the points table currently, United are in the sixth place in the points table. In their previous encounter, City hammered Luton Town by 6-2 in the FA Cup. United have shown massive improvements in the last few weeks after not having a good start to their campaign. United were involved in a thrilling game where they beat Nottingham Forrest by 1-0 in their last game.

Both teams feature some of the best players in the world. The likes of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and others would be taking part in the match. Manchester City will start the match as the favourites, given their record in the ongoing league so far and the match taking place in their home. United with their improved record can challenge the home side.

MCFC vs MUFC – Match Details

Match – Manchester City (MCFC) vs Manchester United (MUFC), Premier League 2023-24

Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Date and Time – 3^rd March 2024, 21:00 IST

Live Coverage – Star Sports Network and Disney plus Hot Star

MCFC vs MUFC – Head-to-Head

Both the teams from Manchester have a rich history in the sport. they have been up against each other in 191 instances. In as many games, Manchester United have been historically the better side with 78 wins to their name. City have managed to win 60 wins, as 53 games ended in a draw. In the last five games between the two sides in the Premier League, City have won four of the five games.