We just need a little bit of luck

S Kunjabihari Singh *

This is the wish, a rather desperate one, of Ivan Rakitic, a member of the magnificent Triangular Central Force (TCF) of Croatia football team this WC 2018. Ivan meekly philosophized on the prospect of his country against a formidable France ahead of the epic fight in the WC final this time around. He probably felt humble in the fight against the might of France vis-à-vis his country, a rather tiny country with relatively less of exposer.

He thought they didn't have much strength to boast about against France which had already bagged the World Cup in 1998, a team captained by the present coach. As is the natural corollary, Rakitic had nothing other than seeking a support in the form of an invisible hand, 'A Little Bit of Luck'.

2. One way, he is perhaps right. For in this WC, why this only, in all such top level competitions the world over, the impossibilities rein riot; talents or competence are often the casualties; the unexpected finds full play. Teams no more appear to rely on their talents alone; some extraneous factors have caved into the system. Belgian football coach Roberto Martinez, post their play with England for third place, observes, "I think that we have seen in this WC that they did not rely on talent alone. Talent can take you far but sometimes not far enough….". The popular adage, 'fortune favors the prepared', no more holds true in the game of football.

3. And where is Croatia in the map of world of football competing with France, a force by itself this day? Currently placed 20th in world rankings, Zlatko Dalic's side are the lowest ranked to reach the WC final and the 13th different nation to do so. This coach Dalic again reflects on the patronage of this tiny country of their first WC experience, "What you are looking here is just a fraction of what is happening back home. We are proud to make the Croatian people happy, the people have forgotten about all the problems. Whatever the outcome, there will be an earthquake in Croatia. There will be four million people out on the streets."

4. Recall how the President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, reached Moscow, braved the rain in the stands to watch the final. She wore the team shirt, soaked by the rain and cheered, smiled in defeat and hugged every player from both teams as the winners were given their medals. By the end of the day the Croatian President emerged as Croatia's real WC Star. Pictures of her curvaceous figure in bikini in beach, which some fans mistook for model Coco Austin or US porn star Diamond Foxx went viral. But that only aided generously to the glamour coefficient of the whole Croatian team.

5. Small though, Croatia boasts of team members mostly playing in European clubs. The captain Luka Modric, for instance, plays in Real Madrid, controls the mid-field as a play maker and has been famous for being a strategist with a rare quality to pick venerable positions in the enemy field where he would reach his ball. His hawk's eyes prey on the opposite field, feeds the ball for the forwards, the likes of Christiano Ronaldo, Karen Benjama, Gareth Bale to name a few, to strike. Since 2012 this 32 year old Croat has been talked about as the Real Madrid's most inventive and versatile middle-man allowing boys upfront claim headlines and pose topless with trophies. He lets the spotlight sit firmly on the shoulders of the Captain applauded as the driving force behind the team. Not to have a second thought; Luka was adjudged 'Golden Ball'.

6. But this team had a humble journey, a journey often plagued with uncertainties. Croatia finished third on debut in WC 1998, the year France bagged the FIFA Cup. Commentators talk about bigger names with fatter paychecks to have conjured magical moments. Some have played an outstanding game or two. But none have been more commanding during the entire championship. It is in such considerations that Luka Modric stands heads and shoulders above the rest. He was not alone however in the gambit; a bunch of high performers are in league with him. Ivan Rakitic wins 50:50 arguments in the midfield. Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida are ironmen at the back. But Modric is classed as the 'man of ideas', draughtsman of Croatia's attacking force.

7. What makes Luka different and special is his ability to adapt his game to the requirement of his colleague. At Real, always typified by the world's glitziest line-up, he is more attack-minded. For Croatia he plays deeper, runs around much more. In this WC he has covered a whooping 63 kms the highest among all players. But he also delivers telling cross-field passes, sometimes over more than 50 meters or over160 feet. His technique is talked about as 'minimalist', kind of 'touch sure' and 'clinically precise'. But he can extricate himself from the tightest situation and in such a manner that one hardly notices it passing around.

8. Great ball distribution is often about finding the right man at the right place, at the right time, with unerring frequencies. It is also about finding spaces where none exists. Modric is complemented with performing both with relish and ease.

9. But this talent, this competence does not come the easy way. Today's success in European football for instance, has deep-rooted legacy. The same is true for other continents as well. They talk about focus on youth development to ensure a pipeline of gifted talent in the system. Since 2004, European football's governing body has required all major clubs to also operate youth teams at various age-groups, like the prevailing ones, under-10s, 10-14 brackets and at least two in 15-21 range. Such a requisite ensures a pipeline of technically gifted talent into the European soccer system. The young sensation of this WC, 19 year old French forward, Kylian Mbappe, who scored two goals in this session, was a product of such youth teams.

10. This way much of the optimism over England's future stems largely from the success of junior teams in the past. England won Under-20 WC, Under-17 WC and U-19 European Championship last year. Fanned with this fabulous background England came to the WC and yet had to rest satisfied with the fourth position. What could be the underlying factor? Could it be 'Luck', a factor which defies talent, precision and what not?

11. All talents gifted or inherited or acquired through rigorous training the way European football is about, go a long way and yet an unforeseen factor often plays truant. This facet often plays big role in nerve-shattering penalty kicks. Great players often miss to the greatest dismay of everybody. Recall how Croatian Captain missed his penalty shot in its game against Denmark when they were 1:1. And lo! Luka missed. How impossible, for a man known the world over for his talent. In the next 10 minutes he came forward again for the shoot-out. This time around he hit the bull's eye. Forget the determination, the steely resolve he had inherited from rigorous training.

12. Nevertheless, the ugly head of 'LUCK' lurks around in such competitions of the fiercest order. Recall Croatia's tallest forward at 6'3'' Mario Manzukick when rising to meet Griezmann's free-kick with the top of his head inflicted a self-goal to the tremendous advantage of France. How terrible to face the situation when he inadvertently sent the ball past his own goalkeeper. Also recall how Ivan Perisic a club member of the deadly Croatian TRIO in the mid-field, had handled the ball in the box. Or could it be, as I put it, the ball came only flying to his hand; he was not at fault, never. And yet, a penalty was awarded against Croatia which dampened the spirit of Croatia with murderous consequence. The rest is history.