Nick Mandola, can the samurai blue,
replicate those performances,
they had against Spain and Germany in the group stage get
too big comeback wins. It was Sensational
but this is a very experienced Croatian side. So
it's going to be tough for them. And Croatia play very
differently to what Spain and Germany play, but
kind of fancy Japan to cause an upset here. And would it be
an upset for you?
Yes, it would. But only, Slightly so that we all right
Lee like Japan going into this tournament. But when you get to
this stage
and even with the age we talked and we talked about courageous
age going into their last final right there was always a can
they hang? This has been a long tournament but it kind of
flipped the script this time and I look at them as a team
that now that they're here, I didn't quite think they'd get
here, but now that I do, I think that team with that
experience can rally and mount up and have itself prepared
for an every 45.
Days situation. And I do
obviously Brazil in the next round would or South Korea
would be a different story but
I think their experience versus Japan's relative lack of
experience bodes well for them.
And did you agree with that? And curly should just that
experience. It counts for a lot, doesn't it? When you look
for the team parasitic moderate, dejan lovren players
who played in the World Cup final four years ago. And
I've just been there and done it at the international stage, but
this Japanese Team such a great solid unit and you never know
really was actually going to play or contribute or score or
cysts and that just keeps opponents guessing and maybe
catches them out but
Croatia just very calm on the ball very relaxed. And
yeah I just think this is a really really interesting matchup.
Yeah it is stylistically. Almost couldn't be different.
I mean these teams are on pull it up. Pour opposite ends of
possession at this world cup, Japan setting, well below 40
percent and you know to scored the
Number of goals that they've done
Croatian up near 55% Japan. Take more shots of game
than Croatia. It is very slow, it's very methodical almost.
Some might say plodding along from Croatia but credit to them
I thought they were going to go the way of Belgium at this
tournament. I thought they would just like
I thought this was the end of
the Luka, Modric
crime, Rich Heritage, all of those players that we've come
to know over the years that are well over 30 years old and they
found a way to get through and they are going to be tough to
knock out. But I do think that the Japan Have
kind of the style
very quick, a little bit Direct on the counter attack. That
could give them all kinds of problems. It's going to be
a party all again, if he can be back there, I mean that was
an incredible performance from a center fielder.
The way he just swept up 50 yards of space time and time
again, that ball was played in a number of times that he was
there every single time. So this stylistically and
absolutely incredible matchup. And I think it's, I think it's
going to play out that way on the field very, very
close.
Nick prediction wise, who do you think is going to get
the edge here? Because Christ has quality experience, that's one
thing, but then, as you said, two pans. So unpredictable just
so intense. I think the way they play their matches, grind
you down, right? Getting the ball wide whipping, and Crosses
making runs
being in your face.
I'm just intrigued to see that battle Midfield. I guess.
Luka Modric is the master is squirming away,
keeping the ball. Keeping
Croatia, ticking over and
and so bras of itching and cover church as well. A really
good at doing that Midfield. So
I kind of want to give Croatia The Edge as well as Japan
a played and as hard as we are on them here at psst. But what's
your thoughts on who's favored in this last 16? Go.
Yeah, again I
have to go to the experience and tip them for that and it's
because of where that player mode Rich place
and I just
and I've seen a lot. Tell you what?
If you, if you bring up the name of on Paris Edge to me
and we talked about the places he's been and the times he's
switched clubs and just shown every single Club is darn
value. As one of the more underrated players. I mean,
we've seen it left, wing left back. We just about everywhere.
I just think there's a little too much
little too much guts
in this Croatia team.
Although it could be three nothing with three minutes
left. And I wouldn't write off Japan, just because they've
surprised this enough at this tournament. I'll go Croatia.
Nothing.
Andy where you going for, I'm gonna take the opposite,
I think Japan and get it done. Croatia do a good job of
keeping the game slow making it very very long 90 minutes.
But I do think that Japan find a little bit of space. There's
just there's something about the way they, the way that they
get out into space
as a group, like, it's not 11
attacker going against two three Defenders. They really
commit numbers forward. And when they, when they get out in
space, they're fun to watch. Ouch. Yeah you know I'm
actually go with Japan as well but I think it's going to go to
extra time but there's one last
16 games going to work sits on is this one? So yeah
yeah let's see what happens.
Japan against Croatia
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