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History has an uncanny way of repeating itself. Brazil takes on Croatia in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, on June 12 (0130 hrs, June 13 Indian Standard time) at the Arena de Sao Paulo. Eight years ago on June 13, 2006 Brazil met Croatia in a group F league match of the 2006 World Cup in Berlin. In the 2006 World Cup, it was also Brazil’s opening match of the World Cup, but not the inaugural game of the tournament. Eight years ago also Brazil were favourites to win the World Cup, just as they are now.
In the 2006 World Cup match, Brazil won 1-0; the lone goal was scored in the 44th minute by Kaka. Will history repeat itself? There are other uncanny similarities also. In the 2006 World Cup, Brazil’s captain was right back Cafu. This time also Brazil’s skipper is a defender Thiago Silva. The current Brazilian squad has no players who represented the Selecao in 2006. Ronaldinho, who was expected to be a star in the 2006 World Cup but instead, flopped and striker Robinho was in contention for the 2014 squad but Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari opted for youth and commitment and dropped both the veterans.
In contrast Croatia has a couple of stalwarts who played in the 2006 World Cup and will be on duty at Sao Paulo. They are goalkeeper 35-year-old Stipe Pletikosa and speedy right back 32-year-old Dario Srna. Pletikosa said that in 2006 he had nightmares before the opener against Brazil as he was up against the firepower of strikers Ronaldo and Adriano and attacking midfielders Kaka and Ronaldinho.
In 2006, Brazil got off to a tentative start. Midfielders Ronaldinho and Kaka were lively in attack but both strikers, an overweight Ronaldo and sluggish Adriano were below par. Much to his relief Pletikosa was barely tested. Ronaldo and Adriano did not take a shot at goal till the first half hour. At the stroke of half time, Brazil got the winning goal. Kaka received a square pass from skipper and AC Milan teammate Cafu on the edge of the 18 yard box. Kaka sidestepped defender Igor Tudor and curled the ball past goalkeeper Pletikosa.
Croatia were more determined in the second half and launched several attacks. Brazil’s goalkeeper Dida parried shots by Dado Prso and Ivan Klasnic. Croatia bungled again minutes before the final whistle when Niko Kranjcar headed over a measured cross by Prso.
Brazil won 1-0 and it was record breaking win for them. It was their eighth in a row at the World cup since defeat by France in the 1998 final. But Croatia had troubled them. Brazil’s defence was shaky. Roberto Carlos was often caught out of position and both central defenders Juan and Lucio looked vulnerable at set-pieces and to the high cross.
Coach Luis Alberto Parreira said his team opened their title defence with a performance which was about 60 to 70 per cent of their potential. The coach was satisfied and felt his team would improve. A pragmatist Parreira wanted the team to peak before the final. But the writing was on the wall. Brazil’s star-studded team was ageing and though they sailed through the group stage, they got exposed by the guile of Zinedine Zidane and the speed of Thierry Henry in the quarter final losing 0-1 to France.
In 2014, Brazil will want a more convincing start against Croatia, arguably their toughest opponents in group A. As the legendary Pele has said, Brazil has not only to win but to win in style. The Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will also be hoping that her national team gets off to a flying start. Brazil’s first woman President who took over in 2011 hopes that an emphatic win and attractive football by the Selecao will act as a diversion or deterrent to the social unrest in the country just before the World Cup.
Like in 2006, it will once again be a battle of midfield. Croatia’s midfield will consist of Luka Modric, an excellent passer of the ball, the in-form Ivan Rakitic and the promising 20-year-old Mateo Kovacic. They will have to cope with the guile and clever passing of Oscar, Paulinho and either Ramirez or Fernandinho. Hopefully it will be a more entertaining game than in 2006 and maybe provide an apt indicator of Brazil’s credentials as favourites for the 2014 World cup.
