Croatia, Morocco target third-place medal at World Cup
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The chances of the winning the World Cup might have gone for Croatia and Morocco, but “immortality” is at stake when the two teams meet in Saturday’s third-place playoff.
Croatia forward Andrej Kramarić dispelled the notion it would be a meaningless contest at Khalifa International Stadium.
“I think if you ask this question to Moroccan players, I don’t think they will look that way," he said at a news conference Thursday. “They’re fighting for their lives because if you win a medal at a World Cup you become an immortal hero in your country. That’s the same thing we are going to do.”
Morocco defied the odds to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals. But the Atlas Lions' run came to an end with a 2-0 loss to defending champions France on Wednesday.
Croatia reached the final in Russia in 2018, but suffered a 3-0 loss to Argentina on Tuesday.
“Eight of us from (the tournament in) Russia understand that feeling of winning a medal at the World Cup and we have a lot of players who haven’t experienced that and would love to do that because it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of their life,” Kramaric said.
___
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
-
NASCAR takeaways: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch fight after All-Star Race
2024 NBA Championship odds: Celtics, Wolves favored to make Finals
Paul George next team odds: Clippers, 76ers favored to land star guard
-
2024 MLB Power Rankings: The Yankees are back
SHR drivers facing uncertain future: 'It seems nobody knows anything'
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
-
Timberwolves' postseason party continues as Anthony Edwards plays beyond his years
Jim Otto, 'Mr. Raider' and Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86
How Aaron Judge broke out of the biggest slump of his career: 'There's no panic in him'
-
NASCAR takeaways: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch fight after All-Star Race
2024 NBA Championship odds: Celtics, Wolves favored to make Finals
Paul George next team odds: Clippers, 76ers favored to land star guard
-
2024 MLB Power Rankings: The Yankees are back
SHR drivers facing uncertain future: 'It seems nobody knows anything'
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
-
Timberwolves' postseason party continues as Anthony Edwards plays beyond his years
Jim Otto, 'Mr. Raider' and Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86
How Aaron Judge broke out of the biggest slump of his career: 'There's no panic in him'