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Picture Credit: Twitter

Canada and Croatia took on each other at the Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday in the FIFA World Cup 2022 group-stage fixture. Croatia thrashed Canada 4-1 to move to the top of the table. Meanwhile, it was a second consecutive defeat for the John Herdman-managed team. But the Canadian coach was so confident about his team’s chances that he had said that Canada will “eff” Croatia. 

This comment from Herdman did not sit too well with the Croatian media as they put on the Canadian coach’s naked picture in a tabloid. "You have the mouth (tongue), But do you have the balls as well?" wrote the tabloid alongside a stripped picture of Herdman. 

Meanwhile, the Croatian coach thanked Herdman for motivating his boys. However, he looked disappointed at first as he used the word “respect” 13 times in a 90-second answer.  “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.”

Croatia’s winger Ivan Perisic, who was sitting next to his coach, said: “I second the head coach and I cannot wait for the match to begin.”

After Croatia won the game, Andrej Kramaric, who slotted in two goals took a dig at the Canadian coach. “I want to thank the Canadian coach for the motivation,” said Andrej Kramaric. “In the end, Croatia demonstrated who eff’d who.”

Zlato Dalic, Croatian coach, too had a go. “I did not see the other head coach after the match. Whether I lose or win I always congratulate the winner. He [Herdman] was not there and that’s his way of doing things. He’s obviously mad. He’s a good coach, he is a high-quality professional, but it will take some time for him to learn some things.”

Meanwhile, Herdman said that he could have been more composed. “I could have been a little bit more composed coming out of the huddle, but that’s my learning,” Herdman said.