12 June 2014

17:00

Brazil v Croatia

Arena de São Paulo, São Paulo


Group A

Edited by Joffa: 11/5/2014 08:23:05 PM

Tough game for Croatia...

Brazil beat them 1:0 in 2006. Ok, comparing is something we do a lot and this is a different tournament but I think Croatia are strong enough to make Brazil work for it. Olic is old but in form and likes to ruin a party.mandzukic suspended but Perisic and Modric also very good players.Will be a fun opener.

Group A

Brazil v Croatia

Brazil 1.30 Draw 5.00 Croatia 9.00

http://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/international-soccer/world-cup-matches?is_ajax=0&is_future_outrights=1&ev_oc_grp_id=1789

Rakitic will miss a great chance in the 86th minute with the score at 0-0, Brazil will go on to win 3-0

Temporary stands for W/Cup opener

After inspecting the Itaquerao stadium, authorities said it would be safe to use the stands during the high-profile match between Brazil and Croatia on Thursday.

The stands behind one of the goals were not approved for the final test event at the stadium last week because of safety concerns. The installation of the temporary seats was delayed mostly because of an accident earlier this year.

Thursday is the first time the Itaquerao will have a capacity crowd.

Football's governing body Fifa initially said the stadium would hold 68,000 next week, but it put only about 61,000 tickets on sale for the match because many places will be used by journalists and to accommodate cameras needed to broadcast the match.

Fifa denied the decrease in capacity was caused by delays in stadium construction, saying it had to make adjustments to the number of tickets sold for the match because more than 1,500 journalists would be present. It also said changes had to be made after the location of 34 television cameras needed for the match was established.

"The size of the Arena de Sao Paulo was not reduced, as many people are reporting," Fifa said. "As in any operation for the World Cup, the stadium's total capacity is adjusted according to the needs of the media and the television broadcast."

The Itaquerao has been one of the most problematic stadiums for the World Cup. Late last year, a crane hoisting a giant roofing structure into place collapsed, killing two workers and causing significant delays. Builders have already said that the stadium's roof will not be fully completed until after the World Cup.

Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke said it was normal to see a lot of work still being done outside the Itaquerao, especially because it was completed late.

One of the reasons the Brazilian football federation refused to use Sao Paulo's already-built Morumbi Stadium for the World Cup was because it claimed it would not be able to hold more than 65,000 people for the opener as required by Fifa. But Brazil played Serbia in its final warm-up match before the World Cup at the Morumbi yesterday, with nearly 70,000 people in attendance.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/temporary-stands-for-wcup-opener-30336224.html

World Cup opener: Only 25,000 tickets go to fans

Fifa reveals how seats for Brazil-Croatia match in Sao Paulo have been allocated

APPublished: 15:00 June 9, 2014Gulf News

Sao Paulo: Fifa says less than half of the tickets available for the opening match of the World Cup next week went directly to the general public, with most being reserved for commercial partners, broadcasters, local organisers and hospitality programmes.

Fifa said on Sunday that of the 61,600 tickets available for the Brazil-Croatia match on Thursday in Sao Paulo, only 25,636 were sold to the general public. About 10,000 additional tickets are going to fans through promotional activities.

Football’s governing body said more than 1,500 tickets were reserved for VIPs, and about the same number are going to journalists.

More than 13,700 tickets went to hospitality programmes, and 12,600 to commercial affiliates and broadcasters, who are expected to give away 85 per cent of their share to fans and partners. Local organisers and the football community, including association members, received 6,600 tickets.

Fifa initially said the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo would hold 68,000 people in the high-profile inaugural match, but the capacity was adjusted because of the seats reserved for journalists and to accommodate the 34 cameras needed to broadcast the match. Fifa denied that the decrease in capacity was caused by delays in construction at the Itaquerao.

The stadium has been one of the most problematic in the run-up to the World Cup, prompting a series of concerns from Fifa. Late last year, a crane hoisting a giant roofing structure into place collapsed, killing two workers and causing significant delays. Constructors have already said that the stadium’s roof will not be fully completed for the tournament.

Fifa is also worried about the recent wave of strikes in Sao Paulo, especially by operators of the subway line that will takes fans and journalists to the Itaquerao.

“Fifa and the local organising committee rely on the urban mobility plans presented by host city Sao Paulo, which include not only the usual means of transportation but also contingency plans in case of one of the modals is unavailable or partially working,” football’s governing body said.

The strike by subway operators created havoc in the city’s traffic last week, nearly halting South America’s biggest city.

“What Fifa and the LOC always stress is the importance of fans to plan their way to the stadium and leave early for the match,” Fifa said.

On Saturday, Fifa said that 1,376 people will have to change their tickets because they were handed out before work at the stadiums was completed. It said seating configurations changed after technical teams established exactly where the media tribunes and broadcast equipment had to be placed in each of the 12 venues.

A total of about 3.3 million tickets will be sold for the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950. More than 2.5 million tickets had already been allocated, including through the hospitality programmes.

http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/brazil-2014/world-cup-opener-only-25-000-tickets-go-to-fans-1.1344921

Should be a good opener i'd probably say a draw would be a good result for Croatia but anything less then a win for Brazil will really amp up the pressure on the south Americans.

Im tipping a 1-all-draw

Edited by Davstar: 9/6/2014 10:15:47 PM

Dani Alves says Brazil intent on ‘sending out a message’ in World Cup opener
Agence France-Presse       

June 11, 2014   Updated: June 11, 2014 11:53:00

Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday’s World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year’s Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.

The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener, as they seek to ease the jitters.

“I have always said that if you don’t feel anxiety it is not worth being a professional athlete. The opening game is difficult, important,” said Alves.

“The three points count but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game.”

He added: “We will only know on Thursday if everything is OK. We are very confident and we want this moment to come. We want to enjoy the World Cup. We are going to try to give a good image.”

The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Arena Corinthians would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea teammate Willian pushing for a starting berth.

But Scolari, who masterminded Brazil’s last World Cup win in 2002, is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested winning formula against 18th-ranked Croatia after the same 11 edged past Serbia 1-0 in a friendly last week, courtesy of a goal from Fred.

Brazilian reserve striker Jo, speaking after training on Tuesday, said the mood in the camp was calm but the nerves would be jangling as kick-off approached.

“At this moment, everyone is calm,” said the striker. “When we go to Sao Paulo and the game approaches, there will be excitement, anxiety. But the opening of the World Cup in our country will be different to others.”

And squad member Bernard said it was crucial to start the tournament with a win as Brazil chase their first World Cup tournament win on home soil.

“There are no easy games and the game against Serbia was very complicated,” said the winger. “They are quite a well-balanced side. I think the game against Croatia will be similar. It’s important to be focused on the opening game, we need to start off with three points.”

Croatia will be missing Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic because of a red card he picked up in a match against Iceland in November.

But they also boast Real Madrid’s Luka Modric in their line-up, who said the key to the game would be the midfield battle, admitting the task of taking on Brazil in their own backyard was daunting.

“Virtually every game is decided in the midfield. In most situations the winner is the team that has the better midfield,” said Modric. “I hope that we can show our qualities and can beat Brazil. But this will of course be very difficult.”

And Modric, fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, highlighted the danger of Neymar, hailed by many as the key man for Brazil.

“Neymar did not have the best of season with Barcelona, but when he plays for Brazil, he is a completely different player,” said Modric. “But I believe that we will find a way to stop him.”

The match will be played in the 61,600-capacity Arena Corinthians, which was delayed by accidents in which three workers were killed.

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Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/sport/world-cup-2014/dani-alves-says-brazil-intent-on-sending-out-a-message-in-world-cup-opener#ixzz34JfufUkz

FIFA World Cup Opener: Brazil Versus Croatia Preview

June 11, 2014 woz1867 International, Soccer


Brazil Versus Croatia – Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo – Thursday 12 June Kick-off 2100 BST

No nation is more eager to see the football get underway than Brazil. The opening game sees the World Cup favourites take on Niko Kovac’s Croatia. The 42-year-old Kovac has selection worries up front, Mario Mandzukic is suspended due to his red card against Iceland in the playoffs. Ivica Olic may be preferred in the lone striker role supported by Sevilla’s Ivan Rakatic in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Croatia will need to keep their discipline especially of Brazil take an early lead during the game. Much is expected from Luka Modrić, is the Real Madrid really that good? This World Cup will give him the chance to demonstrate that. Expect Modric to collect the ball and link up the back for with the more advance players.

The nephew of Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was killed in a car accident yesterday, a victory for Brazil will no doubt be dedicated to him. Brazil lined up with Fred, Hulk and Neymar in their last outing against Serbia. Brazilian fans will want to see plenty of goals and Scolari . One thing is for sure, Scolari will not take any chances and will start with his strongest XI on Thursday night.

Expect a tentative start by the home nation, a little bit of magic might just settle the crowd and lift the Samba Boys.

The game may see Wolfsburg team-mates Luiz Gustavo and Olic go head-to-head.

Japan’s Yuichi Nishimura will referee the game, he will be assisted by compatriots Toru Sagara and Toshiyuki Nagi. Iran’s Alireza Faghani will be the fourth official.

Head-to-head

Brazil has won one and drawn one in two previous encounters with Croatia.

Weather forecast

High’s of 24 degrees centigrade are predicted for the opening game.
http://thesportsbreakfast.co.uk/fifa-world-cup-opener-brazil-versus-croatia-preview/

I thought temporary stands weren't allowed for the World Cup?

Brazil to win 1-0 with a late goal.

T minus 20hrs

Brazil best be aware of opening day shocks

12:30 PM Thursday Jun 12, 2014

As it gears up to open the World Cup against Croatia in Sao Paulo, Brazil could do worse than look back in the history books to avoid any complacency.

Over the years, the World Cup has seen its fair share of shock results in the opener, which until 2006 usually involved the defending champion, not the host as is now the norm.

The most famous surprises occurred in Italy in 1990 and in South Korea in 2002.

In the former, a downward header from Francois Omam-Biyik was enough for Cameroon to defeat defending champion Argentina 1-0 in Milan in a game that was also notable for the sending off of two Cameroonians.

Twelve years later, France, many people's favorite to retain the title, lost by the same scoreline to Senegal in Seoul after a goal by Papa Bouba Diop.

Defeat in the opening game doesn't necessarily mean all hope is lost. Though France was eliminated in the group stage in 2002 without scoring a goal, Argentina somehow managed to scrape through to the final in 1990.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/fifa-world-cup/news/article.cfm?c_id=524&objectid=11272709

Gonna go with 1-1....

So the corny opening ceremony has started....

im awake, let the insanity begin. a marathon of lack of sleep and at times some excessive alcohol consumption.

I thought Ned wasn't part of the SBS broadcast team for the World Cup?

i thought the game would start now, I could of slept in a bit more.:(

For me, it's great, technically world class, individual brilliance, and for me, I'm just happy he's there

The FoxSport team can be awful at times, but these three, FMD. It's going to be a long world cup.

Is Boreshir commentating?

Weeeee Ned!

-PB

Shame bout Kalac.

-PB

c'mon croatia! id love a big upset on day 1

i wish he wasnt

all pressure on Brazil which i think will help Croatia

Holy fuck David Luiz and that anthem hahahahah.

-PB

Martin Tyler! <3

-PB

GO CROATIA !! #NOFEAR

At least Martin Tyler isn't bad, such an iconic voice.

the top part of the stadium looks empty, i thought this would easily sell out.