Brazil's forward Fred (front) is fouled by Croatia's defender Dejan Lovren (R) to be awarded a penalty during a Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 12, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Unfancied Croatia took a shock lead when Marcelo put the ball into his own net early in the Group A match before Neymar levelled in front of a jubilant crowd in the Corinthians Arena.
But the European side were holding their own in the second half until Japanese ref Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot after Fred backed into Lovren and fell.
“I think this referee didn’t deserve to be here,” said the Southampton player. “I don’t know for what he deserved to be here. It’s really disappointing for us because I think we were playing a good game against a big team, Brazil.
“I think two billion people saw that it was not a penalty. I didn’t touch him.”
“We’re really disappointed but what can you do against 12 players? You can’t do anything.
“I’m sad, that’s it, because we played a good match and the referee — it wasn’t a mistake, it was a scandal. It’s a scandal for everyone, it’s a scandal for Fifa. I think this referee shouldn’t be at this World Cup.”
Frustrated Croatia coach Niko Kovac said the referee was ‘out of his depth’ but his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Felipe Scolari was adamant Nishimura was correct to award the spot kick converted by Neymar to make the score 2-1.
“If anybody saw that was a penalty, let them raise their hand. I cannot raise my hand, I didn’t see it,” said Kovac.
“If you continue in this vein then there will be 100 penalties during this World Cup.”
Oscar rounds on critics after ‘dream’ start
Oscar took a dig at his critics on Thursday after delivering a ‘dream’, goal-scoring performance in Brazil’s win over Croatia.
The 22-year-old had been under pressure in the buildup with many Brazilian media calling for him to be replaced by Chelsea teammate Willian.
But he recovered from a nervy start to set up Neymar for Brazil’s first goal, and then completed the win with a brilliant solo strike in injury time.
“The only person who can take me out of the team is Big Phil,” said Oscar, using Scolari’s nickname. “What you [journalists] say doesn’t matter much. What matters is the opinion of the coach.”
The Chelsea man’s goal was a peach, coming after he ran at the Croatian defence in a solo counter-attack and toe-poked past goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.
“To make my debut in the World Cup playing so well, anyone would dream about that,” he said. “But I have to keep my feet on the ground.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2014.
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