Sime 2:1 Hrvatska
Valentina 2:1 Hrvatska
Joso 1:0 Ukraine
Ante: 2:0 Hrvatska
My Personal Predicion: 1:0 Hrvatska
Atmosphere:
Just like any other NT game, the atmosphere was festive, with of course that tinge of nervousness and anxiety (at least in my mind). There was singing and cheering from start to end, but in the middle of that a persistent restlessness could be felt in watching our inability to penetrate the Ukraine midfield and defense. Walking in with high hopes, I am positive that everyone left Scorpio disappointed as I did. We have made the road to South Africa much more difficult for ourselves with this performance.
Halftime Question: How are we playing?
"Too defensive after the first goal. You can't sit on a one goal lead like that for an entire game." -Ante
"Not nearly enough offensive pressure. Runje looked pretty nervous in goal." -Marko
Thoughts and Analysis:
It is hard to be positive right now knowing the position we have put ourselves in.
I think this will be the last start for Runje in goal for the Vatreni. He clearly had trouble dealing with the pressure mentally from start to finish. Running around out of the box with Ukrainian players too close for comfort in our zone had me scratching my head.
I was hoping to see Ivan Klasnić in as as sub considering his big game experience.
I still can't believe how much Ivica Olić produces for club, but is totally useless for the NT.
SLAVEN, DANIJEL PRANJIĆ IS NOT A LEFT BACK! (hint: remove and replace Rakitić, a player not ready for the starting XI)
...and Ivan Jurić is clearly of no use to the NT.
A few positives...
We showed we were the better team by our play during the 2nd half.
At least we beat them 2 posts to nothing.
I was pleasantly surprised with the Mario Mandžukić substitution. Well done Mario!
~Ivica Peroš, reporting from New York
Ivica is on the board with the first official CSR Fanzone! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to do this. You did an excellent job and hopefully we hear from you again; a trailblazer for the rest.
11 comments:
Ivica,
To be honest, I didn't expect half of what you came up with on Saturday. Excellent, excellent work brother! I had goosebumps watching your videos and at the same time was jealous that Croatian Hall in San Pedro, CA isn't even 10% of what Astoria brings to the Croatian community.
Manu has lit the fire for CSR fanzone, and you turned this little flame into a forest fire.
Well done sir! For those of you looking in, don't be discouraged by Ivica's post. Start small and work your way up gradually.
Picture this, CSR Fanzone of 20 cities deep. I want to see fans watching the game from Cleveland, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, hell why not the north pole!
Astoria New York has officially took over Croatian Soccer Report!
I was at Scorpio that day in Astoria with a whole bunch of people we completely flipped on the modric goal I mean we went nuts. We were actually in front of the camera and the first ones jumping like maniacs it's always a great atmosphere at Scorps that's why I go there for the atmosphere it's as close to a stadium like feel as you can get.
@Vinko
You are so right about that atmosphere in Scorpio. If you were there last summer for Euro 2008, you know what kind of noise we were all able to generate in that place throughout the game. The singing, cheering, and beer showers are what makes watching games there so great.
If you are going to be in Scorpio next time for the Belarus game it would be great if I can video interview you. That will be the next thing I look to do when I make another game writeup in New York.
I was there as well with a few of friends. Quality atmosphere, great noise. I will definitely come for the Belarus game as well.
i was there as well..someone had to bring the sarme and there i was
Was there a cover charge at Scorpio? ...And obviously thet serve drinks, but what is there to munch on?
$20 to get in.
There are pizza places, deli's, chinese food, mexican, etc all within walking distance of Scorpio. I didn't see food being served, but I saw some old guy walk in with a couple loafs of bread (the bread from the Astoria bakeries is quite tasty) and an assortment of cold cuts spread out across the bar, mainly for himself and a couple of buddies.
ante kvartuc i said that i brought sarma for everyone to munch on!
Thank you CG. Hopefully I can grab a bite sometime soon.
im so pissed i couldent take off of work to be at scorpios that day...n i go there and i realy dont know n e one anyways its very click-ish..im not from queens im from staten island, i try and round up all my nj n staten island croats n we always make the trip to scorpios but n e ways great croat atmosphere if u r in quenns..bog i hrvati!
I just want to say once again, 'Fanzone' Astoria New York was a huge huge huge success.
I look forward to the next 'fanzone' against Belarus.
Post a Comment