The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Croatia

  • Super Eagles may need Buhari’s magical touch to excel in Russia — Perm Sec.

    Adesola Olusade, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, says the Super Eagles may need the “magical touch’’ of President Muhamadu Buhari to excel at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

    Olusade made his assertion based on the historical achievement of the Golden Eaglets at the maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup in Beijing, China, when Buhari was the Head of State.

    Reports have it that the Nduka Ugbade-captained Golden Eaglets squad, defied all odds by beating the then West Germany 2-0 to lift the trophy 33 years ago.

    He added that whether by accident or design, he was hoping for another stroke of luck from Buhari to propel the Super Eagles to greater heights in Russia.

    Read Also: My wishes for Nigeria: An open letter to President Buhari

    “Taking us down memory lane, in 1985 when President Buhari was the Head of State, our then Golden Eaglets went for the FIFA World Cup and won the trophy.

    “Now, we have him as the President again; and another FIFA World Cup tournament is holding, it’s like he has the magic wand and it will work for us.

    “President Buhari has bid them farewell, he urged them to play clean, fair and bring back the trophy which I believe he said with faith,’’ he said.

    Olusade assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles would also bank on the overwhelming support of 180 million Nigerians to propel the team to greater heights in the tournament.

    Reports have it that the Super Eagles are in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia.

    The team will open its account against Vatreni of Croatia on June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium, in the City of Kaliningrad.

    NAN

  • Croatia vows to fight Eagles to a standstill

     

    Croatia have vowed to fight Nigeria to the finish when both countries clash in their opening match of the world cup in Russia June 16 at the Kaliningrad Stadium.

    The Croats in what could pass for critical assessment of their past outings in both  the European Championships and the  World cup respectively, concluded that The Blazers have not been at their best, insisting that it is time to double effort and treat every match as a must win.

    Croatia international and former Manchester City and Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka revealed the feeling in camp Wednesday, submitting that it is time for the squad to step up.

    Croatia have made group stage exits in their last three appearances at the tournament, winning just two of their nine matches.

    Their best performance came when they surprised the football world by reaching the semi-finals in 1998.

    “We are tired of being billed as a talented generation which keeps flattering to deceive,” Corluka told the Croatian Football Association’s official website.

    “We let ourselves and our fans down in every World Cup since the 1998 tournament, especially the last one.

    “We have to focus on our strengths and use the good atmosphere in the dressing room as a platform.”

    Croatia open their Group D campaign against Nigeria, followed by games against Argentina and Iceland.

    Corluka, who has 97 international caps, is one of five centre-backs in coach Zlatko Dalic’s provisional 24-man squad and is aware that he faces a battle to make the final cut.

    “We all have different qualities,” he said. “Some of us are quicker while others are stronger, but either way the coach will make the right decision no matter who he picks for the Russia-bound squad.

    “The most frequent partnership I’ve had was with Domagoj Vida, but I’d be just as comfortable with Dejan Lovren who proved his worth after an excellent season at Liverpool capped by playing well in the Champions League final.”

    Croatia will play warm-up games against Brazil at Anfield on June 3 and against Senegal on home soil in Osijek five days later.

    Croatia’s friendly against Brazil is coming a day after Nigeria’s friendly against England at the Wembley.

  • I am prepared for Russia – Iwobi

    Super Eagles striker, Alex Iwobi has declared that he is fully prepared for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He strongly believes that he will do well in the mundial.

    Iwobi, whose goal sealed Nigeria’s place in the World Cup, in the 1-0 victory over Zambia on 7th October 2017, told FIFA.Com that he knows what to expect in his first appearance at the biggest football tournament on earth, going by the regular trainings he has received with world-class players.

    “The fact that I have been training with world-class players every day has given me a bit of experience, so I know what to expect in Russia,” Iwobi said. “The intensity I train at with Arsenal is very high, so I’m preparing in a good way.

    Read Also: How Iwobi achieved ‘Uncle Jay Jay’s’ feat

    “It was always my dream as a kid, so I can’t wait to be involved. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and wearing the colours of Nigeria. I feel like I can do well.”

    Speaking on his reactions to the goal that qualified the Super Eagles to the World Cup, Iwobi said he would never have guessed doing something like that early in his career.

    “It is difficult to describe, as the feeling was crazy. I remember looking at the crowd and seeing my parents jumping. I almost cried, it was emotional. I would never have guessed that I would do something like that so early in my career. I had dreams about it, but the fact that my dreams came true – I can’t put into words how I felt.

    “After the game I went to the hotel and my mum and dad were both there. Just seeing them, I almost burst into tears again.”

    Nigeria begins their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia on 16th June, then they book a date against Iceland on 22nd June, four days before their final group match against familiar foes, Argentina whom the Eagles have lost to by a one-goal margin in four previous meetings at the World Cup.

  • Balogun positive of Nigeria’s chances in Russia

    Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun believes that Nigeria stands a chance of advancing from the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    The Super Eagles have been drawn to face Croatia, Iceland and Argentina, in its sixth appearance at the World Cup.

    In an interview with ESPN, the Mainz defender, who showed a lot of respect for Nigeria’s opponents, said it is important for Nigeria to take them serious, as they are quality sides that can beat anybody on a good day.

    “Argentina is a team that stands for themselves, if you look at the quality of players in the team, you will see that it is a quality team.

    “Iceland is a team that we have to take serious. They made a strong impact at the European championship and qualifying for the World Cup. They are a big surprise; you can compare them to Zambia in Africa.

    Croatia can be compared to Algeria. They also possess individual qualities and on a good day, they can beat anybody.

    But Nigeria has a chance. We have to prove that we are tougher than Iceland and Croatia, it’s going to be hard, but I think we can do it.

    Balogun described meeting Argentina at the World Cup once again as a “nice challenge.” For him, “it is similar to the qualifiers where we had stiff competitions, but the chances are there for us.”

    Nigeria will begin its 2018 World Cup quest against Croatia in Kaliningrad on 16th June, 2018.

  • ‘Croatia should be wary of dangerous Nigeria’

    KAA Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic has revealed that he has been discussing the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D fixture between Nigeria and Croatia with his club teammates Anderson Esiti and Moses Simon, positing that underrating the West African nation will be a mistake if Croatia must qualify at the expense of Nigeria, AOIFootball.com reports.

    Kalinic, who is expected to make Croatia’s final squad for the global tournament which is scheduled to be hosted by Russia between June and July 2018, said Simon and Esiti have given him a hint on how Nigeria will play at the World Cup.

    ”I have the impression of being underestimated by Nigerians, and I have Simon and Esiti in the club -two young Nigerian players who are already great players.

    ”They said the guys are powerful and fast, but very responsible, quality players and they told me that this is how the whole team is,” Kalinic said.

    The Croatia shot stopper further added that his team must avoid a defeat against Nigeria to stand a realistic chance of making the second round in Russia.

    ”I know Nigeria will be very tough, so any one-and-a-half percent loser approach ahead of the match with Nigeria can be crazy,” the 27-year-old concluded.

  • Messi: I hope football repays its debt to me

    Messi: I hope football repays its debt to me

    Lionel Messi has revealed that he still bears the sad memory of losing the 2014 World Cup but hopes Russia 2018 brings good tidings for him.

    The Barcelona forward led a team of Argentine players that had lost three cup finals – 2014 World Cup lost to Germany and back to back Copa America final lost to Chile.

    The five-time Ballon D’or winner was instrumental for his country who almost missed the chance of qualifying for Russia 2018 – scoring three goals against Ecuador.

    After Argentina 3-0 win of Ecuador, head coach, Jorge Sampaoli said that “football owes Messi a World cup.

    When Messi was asked to comment on his coach assertion that football owes him a World Cup in an exclusive interview with fifa.com, the Argentine captain laughingly agreed with his coach.

    ”Yes, I did hear it, and he said it to me too. I hope football does end up paying me! (laughs).”

    Meanwhile, Messi has said that his side 4-2 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a friendly match last month would count for nothing when the two sides lock horns once again in Russia next year.

    Speaking on Argentina’s Group D opponents in Russia 2018,  Messi added:  “Nigeria one day they score four goals, the next one, they leave plenty spaces for you to do anything.

    (Iceland) “Might seem easy, but they are tough and well organised on defence.

    (Croatia) “They give you more room to play, but have great players.”

     

     

  • Argentina must improve to succeed in Russia – Messi

    Argentina must improve to succeed in Russia – Messi

    Argentina captain Lionel Messi believes they need to improve if they are to stand a chance of winning next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Argentina, who reached the final in 2014, struggled during qualification for Russia, going through three coaches before securing their place at the tournament.

    And it was all thanks to a Messi hat-trick in a 3-1 win away to Ecuador in the final qualifier.

    Messi’s side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Iceland on June 16, before facing Croatia and Nigeria in their other group stage fixtures.

    Next year’s tournament may be the last chance for the 30-year-old Messi to win a major trophy with Argentina and the FC Barcelona forward is already concerned.

    He says they need to make changes in order to overcome more fancied countries.

    “We had a difficult time (in qualifying), but we had our moments,” Messi said.

    “But it’s true that we need to improve if we want to be world champions. Right now we’re not far off, but there are better sides than us, such as Brazil, Germany, France and Spain.”

    As well as losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, Argentina were also defeated by Chile in successive Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.

    Messi, however, believes they should have celebrated at least two victories.

    “I never went back over the finals (we lost). We deserved to win them, in spite of not playing that well. We still had the best chances, both in the World Cup and Copa America,” he said.

    “I’d have to watch them again to see what we didn’t get right in order not to win them. But right here I believe we should have won at least two of them.”

    Messi and his team mates have had a tumultuous relationship with the Argentine media, boycotting them 12 months ago due to what the national team perceived as unfair treatment.

    He said that media criticism has created a culture of fear within the squad.

    “Criticism went above and beyond what is normal and became personal,” he said.

    “The bitterness we feel is because we know what’s coming if things don’t go well for us. People want results and if they don’t get them, they want to see fresh blood. We don’t feel that way.”

    NAN

  • IAAF Diamond League: Okagbare aims to win $50,000 top prize

    IAAF Diamond League: Okagbare aims to win $50,000 top prize

  • Eaglets lose 3-2 to World Cup rivals Croatia

    Eaglets lose 3-2 to World Cup rivals Croatia

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets lost 3-2 to Croatia in their final match of the Suwon International Cup on Sunday.

    The Eaglets thus finished on four points after they beat Brazil 2-1 and drew 1-1 with hosts South Korea.

    The result of the match will determine the overall winners of the competition.

    Brazil have three points, while Korea are on two points.

    Incidentally, Nigeria and Croatia will clash again at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in October.

    The Eaglets, who are the reigning world champions, will train in Argentina for the World Cup in Chile.

  • Croatia keeps Eagles waiting

    Croatia keeps Eagles waiting

    • NFF yet to get confirmation
    • Maigari hopeful, vows to support Keshi

    Sportinglife can reveal today that the proposed international game between Croatia and Nigeria has not been confirmed, with eggheads of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) worried over the delay.

    Words were rife on Sunday night that the agents handling the deal have not agreed on terms such as match venue and date of the international friendly, how much should be paid to the two countries as appearances fees and the sharing ratio for gate takings.

    In a telephone conversation with the NFF Presdient Aminu Maigari on Sunday night, he stated that he was anxious to see the game through between Nigeria and Croatia, pointing out that it would go a long way to guide the Super Eagles’ coaches on how to tackle Bosnia/Herzegovina, who are from from Eastern Europe, the same region with Croatia.

    “You will agree that we are playing against one Eastern European country, one South American country as well as the Iranians, who are from Asia. So, we need to play one or two of the top rated countries from those parts of the world so that our coaches can understand their characteristics.

    “You have also seen how these two teams in our World Cup group, Bosnia and Argentina, are joustling to to play Ghana and Cameroon, knowing that they would learn a lot about how to to handle teams that play robust and pacey football like the Super Eagles.”

    Maigari confirmed the game between Nigeria and Mexico fixed for the United States of America (USA), adding that he was still hopeful that the agents would agree on the modalities for the Croatia game before the Eagles open their World Cup campaign against Iran in Brazil on June 13.