Herdmans inspiration try at World Cup provokes Croatia
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Herdmans inspiration try at World Cup provokes Croatia


Canada had just lost its first World Cup match in 36 years, outplaying Belgium for much of a 1-0 defeat, and an emotional John Herdman revealed in the on-field interview what he had just told his players during a postgame huddle.

I told them they belong here. And were going to go and F Croatia,” the coach said with a smile, using a single letter to avoid a televised profanity. “Thats as simple as it gets.

His words reveberated all the way to Zagreb as Sundays Croatia-Canada game approached.

Croatias 24 Sata (24 Hours) tabloid ran a fullpage photo of a naked Herdman with Maple Leaf flags over his mouth and private parts and a headline that translated to: You have the mouth, but do you have the (guts) as well? Commenting Saturday on Herdmans words, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic used the word respect 13 times in a 90-second span.

This way of putting words together is not a sign of respect, he said through a translator. The way we play, the way we behave and the way we respect all others are the reasons we are worthy of respect.

Sitting next to Dalic, winger Ivan Periic said simply: I second the head coach and I cannot wait for the match to begin.

Speaking before Dalic, Herdman used humor in an attempt to defuse tensions.

When you get a text from your wife telling me you need to start working out before you get home, yeah, you think you know somethings going on, Herdman said, noting the newspaper image was of a trimmer midsection than his own.

My wifes coming after you guys, he told a reporter from that Croatian paper, laughing. “She wishes she got that guy. Ive got a bit more of a belly than that. Ive been eating too much.

On Thursday, Herdman had explained what his intent was.

“You say those things in an impassioned moment trying to inspire your team in a huddle, and when youre asked the question what you said in that huddle, yeah, it was what I said, he said. Its not massively respectful to Croatian people and the Croatian national team. I understand very well where theyre at on the world stage. But in that moment, youve taken your men to that next place, he added.

Playing Croatia for the first time, Canada could be eliminated with another defeat.

Croatia, which lost the 2018 final to France, is the worlds 12th-ranked team and opened with a 0-0 draw against Morocco. Star Luka Modric, playing what is likely his last World Cup at age 37, put a first-half shot over the crossbar.

Canada has played just four World Cup games in its history and still is searching for its first goal. The Canadians outshot the Belgians 21-9 but gave up a 44th-minute goal to Michy Batshuayi from a long pass on a counter. Alphonso Davies had a chance to put Canada ahead in the 11th minute but his penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

We know exactly what our slingshot is and weve got to be ready to attack that across different games now because, as I say, the covers off from Canada,” Herdman said. I think people come into this game, the next games respecting us a little bit more.” Captain Atiba Hutchinson, at 39 the only member of the current roster alive when Canada went 0-3 at the 1986 World Cup, can make his 100th international appearance Sunday Julian de Guzman is second with 89.

Midfielder Jonathan Osorio is looking forward to facing the last World Cups runner-up.

We like to play the best, he said after the Belgium match. Were excited for the challenge.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)

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