Iceland鈥檚 dream, a nightmare for rivals
Print Edition
The World Cup rookies from the tournament鈥檚 smallest nation are suddenly legitimate contenders for the knockout stage.
Two years after reaching the quarterfinals at the European Championship, Iceland earned its first point in its first World Cup match, holding two-time champion Argentina to a surprising 1-1 draw on Saturday.
The round of 16 could be beckoning. 鈥淎h, you鈥檙e not going to get me to say that when we play in a group with Nigeria, Croatia and Argentina,鈥 said Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson, who saved a penalty from Lionel Messi. 鈥淵ou also saw the game tonight. They had a lot of possession. They had more shots than us.鈥
Spoken like a veteran.
They may not be cocky, but after passing one of their first competitive tests against a top-ranked side from outside Europe, the Icelanders aren鈥檛 short on confidence, either. They know no one wants to play them.
鈥淭his is a typical game for us: We defend well, we get the opponent impatient and then, when we attack, we are fast and we have quality,鈥 Halldorsson said. 鈥淪o we are a nightmare to play against and we can beat anybody when we have our day.鈥
You鈥檙e not likely to get an argument from Messi, who will be dogged by visions of Halldorsson blocking the penalty that could have given Argentina all three points.
Besides its run to the quarterfinals of Euro 2016, Iceland also won its World Cup qualifying group. The team has earned its reputation as an organized, stout defending side that鈥檚 dangerous on set pieces.
鈥淲e have a clear identity and everybody is on board how we should play,鈥 Iceland coach Heimer Hallgrimsson said.
Confident though they are, the Icelanders don鈥檛 need to be reminded that they are from the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup.
鈥淒eep down, we know that we come from Iceland. And we are very outnumbered if you look at population numbers,鈥 Halldorsson said. 鈥淪o there鈥檚 always this thought that, maybe we are tiny Iceland and maybe they are going to crush us. So maybe that鈥檚 also what keeps us on our toes, that we are always a bit worried that we might get smacked.鈥
In the meantime, the team and its Viking-helmeted fans will continue to make the most of their first time on soccer鈥檚 biggest stage.
鈥淲hen you go to the World Cup as a goalkeeper, you have certain dream scenarios. There are some things you hope or wish for, and saving a penalty from Messi in the first game is definitely one of them,鈥 Halldorsson said. 鈥淲hen the penalty was given, I felt, 鈥極K, this is going to be my moment鈥.鈥
The team 鈥 maybe the country, marking its independence day yesterday 鈥 is probably feeling the same way.
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