PrAvI HrVaT
09-12-2004, 03:23 AM
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Those who remember Croatia’s stunning run to the semi-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™ are understandably wary of taking the cagey Eastern European side lightly. But, after falling at the group hurdle in 2002, despite a victory over Italy, and at the European Championship earlier this year, the assumption was that the former Yugoslav Republic was on the wane.
After all, the country is made up of just four-and-a-half million people and new coach Zlatko Kranjcar was a long-serving player but has little by way of top-level coaching experience. However, 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying has gotten off to a perfect start for the Croats -- a 3-0 home victory over Hungary over the weekend gave way to a scrappy, impressive 1-0 away win over consistent Sweden in Gothenburg.
And while the hosts realistically felt aggrieved not to have taken at least a point from the contest, Croatia’s performance Wednesday night was just the kind gutsy, tactically adroit performance that could make the side a dark horse for Germany 2006 glory.
Guile and strength
While Kranjcar was a somewhat unlikely successor to former boss Otto Baric - many tipped former Slovenian manager Srecko Katanec for the position - the 47-year-old had an ace up his sleeve given that his son, 20-year-old playmaker Niko, is considered the future of Croatian football. And, while Baric was hesitant to give the wunderkind a run-out, father knows best and Niko has not only won his first international cap but proven to be a missing link in attacking midfield.
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The hero of the testy encounter against Sweden though was Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Darijo Srna who curled an unstoppable free-kick into the bottom left of Andreas Isaksson’s net from 25 metres out. It was just the sort of flash of brilliance that made the Croats such a danger at France 98 and makes them such a frustrating opponent to compete against.
Maddening in terms of gamesmanship sometimes as well, the visitors racked up four cautions in the last 20 minutes of the Sweden match as they stood their ground in the hostile environs. The conflict erupted in full force in the 85th minute when Croatia’s Josip Simunic, Sweden’s Mattias Jonson and a host of others on both teams got into a shoving match. The players were fortunate that red was not shown.
The victory in Sweden is a notice to Europe that the always skilled Croats have not lost their hard touch or their will to win at any cost. In what looks a remarkably balanced Group 8 in European Zone qualifying, Croatia will need all of that guile and strength to prevail. They currently sit top of the table with six points from two matches, four goals scored and none against. Former FIFA World Cup semi-finalists all, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Hungary are on three points. A so far disappointing Iceland are stuck on zero points with group minnows Malta.
Croatia get their Germany 2006 qualifying back underway on 9 October with a stern home test against Hristo Stoichkov’s suddenly confident Bulgaria in Zagreb.
Those who remember Croatia’s stunning run to the semi-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™ are understandably wary of taking the cagey Eastern European side lightly. But, after falling at the group hurdle in 2002, despite a victory over Italy, and at the European Championship earlier this year, the assumption was that the former Yugoslav Republic was on the wane.
After all, the country is made up of just four-and-a-half million people and new coach Zlatko Kranjcar was a long-serving player but has little by way of top-level coaching experience. However, 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying has gotten off to a perfect start for the Croats -- a 3-0 home victory over Hungary over the weekend gave way to a scrappy, impressive 1-0 away win over consistent Sweden in Gothenburg.
And while the hosts realistically felt aggrieved not to have taken at least a point from the contest, Croatia’s performance Wednesday night was just the kind gutsy, tactically adroit performance that could make the side a dark horse for Germany 2006 glory.
Guile and strength
While Kranjcar was a somewhat unlikely successor to former boss Otto Baric - many tipped former Slovenian manager Srecko Katanec for the position - the 47-year-old had an ace up his sleeve given that his son, 20-year-old playmaker Niko, is considered the future of Croatian football. And, while Baric was hesitant to give the wunderkind a run-out, father knows best and Niko has not only won his first international cap but proven to be a missing link in attacking midfield.
Photo Gallery
The hero of the testy encounter against Sweden though was Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Darijo Srna who curled an unstoppable free-kick into the bottom left of Andreas Isaksson’s net from 25 metres out. It was just the sort of flash of brilliance that made the Croats such a danger at France 98 and makes them such a frustrating opponent to compete against.
Maddening in terms of gamesmanship sometimes as well, the visitors racked up four cautions in the last 20 minutes of the Sweden match as they stood their ground in the hostile environs. The conflict erupted in full force in the 85th minute when Croatia’s Josip Simunic, Sweden’s Mattias Jonson and a host of others on both teams got into a shoving match. The players were fortunate that red was not shown.
The victory in Sweden is a notice to Europe that the always skilled Croats have not lost their hard touch or their will to win at any cost. In what looks a remarkably balanced Group 8 in European Zone qualifying, Croatia will need all of that guile and strength to prevail. They currently sit top of the table with six points from two matches, four goals scored and none against. Former FIFA World Cup semi-finalists all, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Hungary are on three points. A so far disappointing Iceland are stuck on zero points with group minnows Malta.
Croatia get their Germany 2006 qualifying back underway on 9 October with a stern home test against Hristo Stoichkov’s suddenly confident Bulgaria in Zagreb.