Croats are “Rustu d” by the Turks
Surprises never cease to exist, do they? First underdogs Germany gave Portugal a run for their money and now this. It seems the whole Europe has turned on its head. No wonder the fans are going crazier by the minute. No team is a minnow or a major team any more. Anyone can win!!
Anyway the Turk coach said that his team had not reached the quarters by fluke whereas Croat coach Bilic felt his team had the nerve to defy the dark horses. How very wrong he was.
The Turks entered the match without first GK Volkan as he had a red card in th
eir last match, and with 8 players already received a yellow in their last match. Thus they were endangering a one match ban if they saw yellow again. The Croats though had no such inhibitions, and were playing their strongest team possible, though they were less formidable without Arsenal's Eduardo.Both teams played well for a few minutes creating chances, but the match slipped into a monotonous passing, kicking and always missing technique by both teams. But the match blasted into wake when a beautiful Modric pass was popped onto the top post by Olic, even though his target was open goal!!
The match became boring by the minute, and there was desperation in the kicks by both teams as they could not come closer to the semis than when they had started. The coaches and fans became restless and small scuffles broke out between fans, and sometimes between players. The Croats had a chance to finish things off when they received a free kick outside the penalty box which was taken by Modric. The beautiful curling kick was stopped short of its target by a dive by Rustu. It seemed that the Croats only had Rustu between them and the semis berth.
The match eased on into extra time. The first half went on without any incident. As the match was drawing closer to a penalty shootout, the drama and action began. In the 119’, a right wing cross to substitute Klasnic saw Rustu being beaten at last as Croatia took the lead. Coach Bilic ran the length of the pitch with joy. But he wanted to make a substitution. An off side freekick was given to the Turks near the centre which was taken by Rustu and he shot to the Croat goal, only for another substitute Semih to pop the ball along the right corner amid confusion to equalise and bring the match to a penalty shootout.
Coach Bilic ran and started arguing that he had wanted to make a substitution but in vain. The match had reached its climax- the penalties.
Modoric took the first penalty but splayed the ball past the left post. Arda converted to give Turkey the lead. Srna kept Croatia in the hunt by coolly converting his chance. But Semih scored too. 20 year old Ivan Raketic then kicked wide of the right post. Turkey sensing victory in the vicinity, Hamit scored. Then Petric’s left corner bound ball was easily stopped by Rustu, giving Turkey the miraculous win.
Croatia’s inability to convert their chances and their bad penalty shootout led to their demise. But they were blameless, they did play their best.
LET US APPLAUD TO THE COURAGE OF THE CROATS!!
CONGRATS TO TURKEY!!!!
Today’s fixture: Holland versus Russsia
Highlights compiled by blizzard!!
Ivan Klasnic, 119th minute, 1-0
Semih, 120th minute, 1-1
Penalty shootout:
L. Modric---[0-1]----A. Turan
D.Srna------[1-2]----S.Senturk
I.Rakitic----[1-3]----H.Altintop
M.Petric----[1-3]
+ Match Highlights
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