Will they dance?

After coach Tite defended his team’s goal celebrations, Brazil are likely to show more dance moves against Croatia and the World Cup favourites aim to do it early as they meet the 2018 runners-up in the quarter-final at Education City Stadium today. 

At a crowded pre-match press conference yesterday, the Brazilian coach countered a barrage of questions regarding criticism of his players for dancing after scoring goals against South Korea in their last-16 clash.                

In their 4-1 thumping victory over the Asians, the Selecao celebrated their goals with dance moves and Tite also joined his players after Richarlison’s strike – third goal of the match.   

The 61-year-old insisted the celebratory dance is not aimed at disrespecting the opponents. 

“It is a connection I have with the younger generation - they could be my grandchildren,” Tite said.

“If I have to dance to be connected with them I will continue to dance.”  

“I’m not going to apologise when it’s our culture to dance and have fun,” he added. “I am sorry for people who don’t know the history and culture of Brazil and our way of being.”

Brazil scored all their goals against South Korea in the first half with their opening goal coming in the seventh minute. Brazil’s assistant coach Cleber Xavier said the team will also look for an early goal against Croatia to take control of the match. 

“Croatia have an experienced and good midfield. They have a lot of experience which we have to appreciate. We want to score a goal quickly so that it will be easier for us later,” he said. 

The Brazilian head coach, meanwhile, said Alex Sandro remained a doubt for today’s quarter-final after missing last two matches due to a muscle injury.   

“It looks unlikely that he will play because he has not yet done enough work on the training ground,” said Tite as a decision had to be made after a training session scheduled last evening. 

Croatia players at a training session. REUTERS

Croatia eye first-ever win over Brazil

Croatia have never defeated Brazil in their past four games with the South Americans winning three matches after a draw in first meeting. 

Head coach Zlatko Dalic said he would have liked to meet Brazil in the final but said his team is ready to record their first-ever victory against the five-time world champions.   

“A great opponent and a great challenge for us. We have had 11 matches at these two World Cups and we lost one. I wish this match came a bit later, I wish it waited for us later but life is such,” Dalic told reporters yesterday. 

“Croatia are a small country and enjoying success in two World Cups. We managed to reach this stage but we are ambitious and don’t want to stay here,” he added. 

Most of Dalic’s current squad members were not part of the previous World Cup where the team reached the final. The coach said today’s match is a chance for those players to prove their mettle.       

“There are 18 new players who were not at the World Cup (in 2018). They have still to prove themselves at the World Cup and tomorrow is a good opportunity for them to do so. We want to do more and if we manage to do it, it would be spectacular. It would be better if it was the final.”

Asked if he would like his players to dance in goal celebrations like the Selecao , the coach said: “I don’t know if it’s respectful or not, but I wouldn’t like to see my players dancing. That said, it’s their culture.” 

Croatia remained unbeaten in the group stage in Qatar and defeated Japan on penalties in the last-16 stage to reach the quarter-final. 

Captain Luka Modric said his team was looking to continue their fine run in the tournament.        

“We did something very good to reach the quarter-finals. But regardless, we want more,” said the Real Madrid midfielder. 

 “The biggest match of the World Cup is ahead of us. Brazil are always the favourite, but especially in this Cup, I believe they deserve to be favourites. We have to be ourselves, do our best just like we’ve done so far. If we do so, have a chance to win,” he added.

Croatia vs Brazil

When: Today at 6:00pm
Where: Education City Stadium
Capacity: 44,667

Key stats:

- Brazil have reached at least the quarter-finals in their last eight World Cups. They were champions in 1994 and 2002 and runners-up in 1998, but have only reached the semi-finals once since then - as hosts in 2014 when they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany.

- In four games so far, Croatia have won only once in 90 minutes - a 4-1 group stage win over Canada either side of goalless draws with Morocco and Belgium, before overcoming Japan on penalties with the score deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time.

- Brazil striker Neymar, who marked his return from injury by scoring in Monday's 4-1 win over South Korea, netted twice when they beat Croatia 3-1 in the group stage in 2014.

- Croatia have won all three of their World Cup penalty shootouts. They beat Denmark in the last 16 and hosts Russia in the quarter-finals 2018, and Japan on Monday.

Previous meetings:

- Brazil are unbeaten in their four meetings with Croatia (W3 D1). The teams have met twice in the World Cup, with Brazil winning 1-0 in 2006 and 3-1 as hosts in 2014.