What an amazing atmosphere tonight. By far the best I've ever witnessed live at the Heizel. The expectations are high for this coming campaign. Failing is not an option. No more "our group is so young, we're still in building phase. It's time to harvest in Brazil with this "Golden Generation". We need to beat Croatia for #1 in our group. It'll be interesting to see what Wilmots will do against Wales. But one this is sure: we need to take the three points back to the continent.
While this was a great game, it wouldn't surprise me if we fail to beat Wales next month tbh. Would be typical of this team. And I know the "we are so young" excuse is getting a bit old, but hey, they are still very young.. Benteke (21), Lukaku (19), Hazard (21), De Bruyne (21), Courtois (20), Chadli (22), Witsel (23), etc etc. And we still really have to sort our of defence. I know we have great individual talent but our team defence is shaky, even when Kompany is playing. Last night, especially at the end of the first half and beginning of the 2nd, Holland had a lot of chances where they could run freely down the flanks or play easy through balls and our defence would just stand there and watch it happen..
yep...I still can't believe they gave the job to Stimac. I mean even the coaching staff is a joke, Tudor and Boksic also have no experience. Jurcic is Jurcic, an average HNL coach. I watched the pre-game and Boksic looked like he had no clue, he didn't know much about the Swiss team and he contradicted Stimac who only few days before says he wants to play like Spain, well Boksic said Croatia shouldn't try to play like Spain...what a mess
They still will probably beat Macedonia and they will get all euphoric, before the eventual disaster loss to Belgium.
And what was up with Mamic and Sammir sitting together. What a provocation!
I fear the football team will go down the same route as the basketball team, only thing saving the football team is there is still some good talent on this team and for the future, but the management and federation will wash that all away it looks
I wouldn't worry so much, Croatia always find a way to get good again.
While this was a great game, it wouldn't surprise me if we fail to beat Wales next month tbh. Would be typical of this team. And I know the "we are so young" excuse is getting a bit old, but hey, they are still very young.. Benteke (21), Lukaku (19), Hazard (21), De Bruyne (21), Courtois (20), Chadli (22), Witsel (23), etc etc. And we still really have to sort our of defence. I know we have great individual talent but our team defence is shaky, even when Kompany is playing. Last night, especially at the end of the first half and beginning of the 2nd, Holland had a lot of chances where they could run freely down the flanks or play easy through balls and our defence would just stand there and watch it happen..
Savi, what is your opinion on Jordan Lukaku. Is he far off from cracking the senior team?
yep...I still can't believe they gave the job to Stimac. I mean even the coaching staff is a joke, Tudor and Boksic also have no experience. Jurcic is Jurcic, an average HNL coach. I watched the pre-game and Boksic looked like he had no clue, he didn't know much about the Swiss team and he contradicted Stimac who only few days before says he wants to play like Spain, well Boksic said Croatia shouldn't try to play like Spain...what a mess
They still will probably beat Macedonia and they will get all euphoric, before the eventual disaster loss to Belgium.
And what was up with Mamic and Sammir sitting together. What a provocation!
I fear the football team will go down the same route as the basketball team, only thing saving the football team is there is still some good talent on this team and for the future, but the management and federation will wash that all away it looks
Sammir is probably trying to suck up to Zdravkec, he did get a pretty big slap on the wrist for partying last week.
And yes, our football federation is looking more and more like our basketball federation which destroyed our basketball, they've ruined more great young players than I can count, but at least they haven't reached the lows our volleyball federation set in the last couple of years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GarretJoseph
I wouldn't worry so much, Croatia always find a way to get good again.
You're making the same mistake people at Dinamo and later in Croatian football federation did, you're underestimating Mamić's ability to destroy everything good we have in our football and make sure that his personal interests are taken care off with his games behind the curtain. One day he and Štimac were mortal enemies, the other they're taking over the HNS together.
Savi, what is your opinion on Jordan Lukaku. Is he far off from cracking the senior team?
Lukaku needs to have some patience. His time will come, but there are few places at Anderlecht. Unless some regular players get injured, Jordan needs to be happy with a role as substitute this year.
Savi, what is your opinion on Jordan Lukaku. Is he far off from cracking the senior team?
In my opinion, right now he's good enough to be a starting left-back at Anderlecht for most Belgian league games. He would struggle against the top teams though. So is he far off? I would say no. But as tobo said, he will have to be patient. He's basically 3rd choice at LB, with their first choice being the starting LB for Sweden's national team and an experienced backup (who's also vice-captain) who played his entire career at Anderlecht so far.
It's a shame he won't play all that much though. I know he's only 18 but he reminds me a lot of Celestine Babayaro (former Anderlecht and Chelsea player, don't know if you remember him). Great pace, great technique. But he's still very raw. Needs games. Also still has a lot of growing up to do (mentally), he doesn't seem to be the brightest cookie in the jar.
Belgium doesn't really have an archrival. Sure there's the Netherlands, they see us as a little brother and we think they're arrogant, but it's mostly all in good fun.
Belgium doesn't really have an archrival. Sure there's the Netherlands, they see us as a little brother and we think they're arrogant, but it's mostly all in good fun.
The fans in the stands did show temperament when they played the Wilhelmus before the game. You couldn't hear the Dutch national anthem cause of the boos and whistles.
Be wary, BiH is going into this game without a single practice together. And their lax attitude towards friendlies means there is a pretty good chance it'll end in a draw. Although, Pjanic/Dzeko/Ibisevic are in ridiculous form + starting.
Since I brought it up, the odds on UAE/Estonia makes me want to take a break from my friendly gambling hiatus. No way does Estonia lose that game. Also w/ Chile/Serbia, a bunch of the regular Serbian NT'ers aren't making the trip to Chile and with Serbia's form, should be a win for Chile.
Leaving in a couple of hours for the game vs Uruguay, got a feeling Suarez&Cavani will tear us a new one. Hopefully some of the young guys called up for the match will actually see some playing time at least...
