Ramsco's Women Empowerment Initiative Recognized Among Top BRICS Businesswomen Practices for 2025    Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    Gold prices end July with modest gains    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt's EDA explores pharma cooperation with Belarus    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Croatia's Mandzukic and Mexico's Ochoa set for Recife showdown
Published in Ahram Online on 21 - 06 - 2014

Croatia's World Cup shootout with Mexico for a spot in the last 16 pitches Mario Mandzukic, a gunslinger who is back among the goals, against Guillermo Ochoa, a goalkeeper who has shown a unique ability to keep his team alive.
Croatia's World Cup shootout with Mexico for a spot in the last 16 pitches Mario Mandzukic, a gunslinger who is back among the goals, against Guillermo Ochoa, a goalkeeper who has shown a unique ability to keep his team alive.
Mandzukic, Croatia's principle attacking weapon, will be looking to add to the two he scored on his return from suspension in their 4-0 win over Cameroon, but the obstacle in his path, Mexico's maverick shot-stopper Ochoa, has already put up a one-man barricade to keep Brazil at bay on Tuesday.
The prize on offer in Monday's decisive Group A clash in Recife is a spot in the knockout stages, with Mexico, who have four points from their opening two salvos, knowing a draw will enough to see them safely through.
Niko Kovac's Croatia, a point behind, will almost certainly need to win, although a draw would suffice if the already-eliminated Cameroon can produce one of the biggest shocks of all time against Brazil in a match played simultaneously in Brasilia.
If Croatia are to come through, the 28-year-old Bayern Munich forward Mandzukic, who was sorely missed in their opening 3-1 defeat to Brazil, will need to be sharp.
"It was great to have Mandzukic back, he is one of the best strikers in the world," said team mate Ivan Perisic, who made his own mark on the Cameroon win with a superb solo goal.
"Playing with the likes of him, (Luka) Modric and (Ivan) Rakitic is a big motive because they make all of us better players."
In making two outstanding saves to deny Neymar, Ochoa proved decisive in Mexico's 0-0 draw with Brazil that ended the hosts' 10-game winning streak.
He went full length to brilliantly beat out a header from Neymar in the first half, evoking memories of England great Gordon Banks's famous diving stop against Pele in 1970.
He then blocked a fierce shot from the forward in the second half and stopped a thumping Thiago Silva header on the line late on to leave Brazil facing their own final game decider against Cameroon.
"Mexico are a quick and skilled side, Ochoa had a great game against Brazil but if we repeat the Cameroon performance I think we have a fair chance of coming out on top," Perisic added.
Croatia have not reached the last-16 since their impressive third place finish in the 1998 tournament.
Kovac is unlikely to ring too many changes to his side but attacking midfielder Mateo Kovacic could return for Brazilian-born Sammir, one of the few players who failed to impress against Cameroon.
Mexico have made a habit of making it out of their group, having reached the knockout stages in the last five World Cups.
The Group A winner will face the runner-up in Group B and vice versa, with the Netherlands and Chile playing each other in their final match to decide who finishes first in that pool.
(For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/104356.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.