Ahead of their round of 16 clash in Lens on Saturday, Croatia and Portugal UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
CROATIA – Tino Andjic (Business Director, Dubai)
The last-16 brings another exciting match for Croatia, against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. In the purpose of fairness, he will be flanked by 10 other players. Joking aside, the last-gasp goal of Iceland gave us a difficult opponent. We have played Portugal three times before and lost all three contests – we have actually never even scored against them.
The stats don’t bode well but this is a different, more self-assured Croatian team. Back home things are crazy. This is when we become especially dangerous because the team rides that wave of support. And, judging by group performances, you’d be hard pressed not to pick us as favourites. Last time in France we made it to the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup and we are confident of going even further this time.
Portugal’s defence has been abysmal so far. With Nani and Ricardo Quaresma they do have great attacking talent aside from Ronaldo, but once they give the ball away all hell breaks loose. Hopefully that will continue in Lens. In our camp, Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic have recovered from injuries so Ante Cacic will most likely field our nominally strongest line-up.
As they say in Croatia, “a jug carries water until its handle breaks off”. Ronaldo has been carrying this Portugal jug for a while, but it might just break on Saturday night.
PREDICTION: Croatia 2-1 Portugal
LIKELY CROATIA XI: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Vida, Strinic, Badelj, Modric, Brozovic, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic
CROATIA PLAYER TO WATCH: Ivan Perisic – He’s absolutely unstoppable right now, with two goals in two games. He is proving a constant threat down the wing and should be more than a match for Portugal’s shaky looking full-backs.
PORTUGAL PLAYER TO FEAR: Cristiano Ronaldo – He looks angry, and we won’t like him when he’s angry. Dragged Portugal kicking and screaming into the last-16 with his display against Hungary and is now one goal shy of the all-time European Championship record.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: JB’s Gastropub at the Amwaj Rotana at JBR.
PORTUGAL – Francisco Alves (Architect, Dubai)
We have been far from brilliant and some could even say Portugal’s performances have been embarrassing (I partly agree!), but what matters is that the first goal for this tournament has been achieved. We are into the last-16 and even managed, somehow, to avoid the hardest side of the draw. History has proven that Portugal tends to procrastinate when facing an easy path ahead, but also that we’re able produce heroics at the right time.
Having had only two days of recovery between matches, our physical condition may be an issue if the match goes to extra-time. Considering we haven’t yet won one match in France, I’m certainly concerned about Portugal’s ability to deal with a difficult challenge like Croatia. Let’s face it, if they can win against Spain (who had been playing a top-class football until then) they have enough individual and collective abilities to send us home for sure.
Overall, Croatia should be considered favourites to go through to the next stage but on the other hand, Portugal traditionally perform better when we have more difficult challenges. If we manage to win this match, I think our high morale can even lead us all the way to the final.
PREDICTION: Croatia 1 – 2 Portugal (after extra time)
LIKELY PORTUGAL XI: Rui Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Raphael Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Renato Sanches, André Gomes, João Mário; Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo.
PORTUGAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Renato Sanches – Draws just aren’t good enough anymore (though we do have quite a good penalty shootout record!) so Portugal needs someone who can carry the ball through the middle with an attacking, winning attitude. Both João Moutinho and André Gomes haven’t been on top form so far and Renato Sanches is the ideal man to bring fast temp to the midfield.
CROATIA PLAYER TO FEAR: Ivan Perisic – After a great individual performance against Spain, I’m sure Perisic he will be a constant threat to our defence – I’m not sure if Vieirinha will be able to handle him. The duo of Modric-Rakitic and their ability to setup attacking plays is also a worry.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Barasti Beach Bar.
