MY ACCOUNT
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has lashed out at World Cup organisers and Canada boss John Herdman, stating his side “deserve respect”.
The 2018 World Cup finalists opened their Qatar 2022 campaign with a goalless draw against Morocco in Group F, which kicked off at 1pm local time on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of his side’s next match however, Dalic hit out at FIFA, suggesting his team should have been handed a cooler, more favourable late-day slot for their match as incumbent runners-up.
“The fact that we played the first match at 1pm disturbed our rhythm,” he stated. “I attribute our lack of energy in that first match to the early kick-off.
“The fact that Croatia plays at 1pm is not respectful. England, Spain, France and Brazil are not playing at that time. We are the runners-up in the [last] World Cup. This is not the attitude towards Croatia that it should be.”
Dalic previously struck a more neutral tone over opposite number Herdman’s comments, where he said his team must “F” Croatia after a narrow defeat to Belgium, despite arguably outplaying their European opponents.
However, he proved more angered by the words this time around, reinforcing again: “Croatia deserves respect from everyone. We have earned it with our games and results.
“I will not pay attention to any comments. We will get ready and play football and be dignified towards Canada as well as towards others. But we deserve respect.”
Herdman, meanwhile, is relishing the chance to face Croatia, adding: “It’s a hell of a test for this team. We are excited. We have a hell of a match coming.”
