Croatia vs Australia

[davor_suker]

I heard that this friendly had been confirmed, can anyone confirm it?
Finally some tough opposition, no more Jamaica and Solomon Islands.

[davor_suker]

Article from Croatian Herald...

----------------------

JUBILATION, ecstasy, a feeling of disbelief, pain (self-inflicted from all the pinching of oneself).... These were just some of the emotions that the Socceroos were experiencing immediately after their historical triumph against the Uruguayans in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Although everyone who was swept up in the post-match festivities around the country felt understandably proud, for our very own Soceroos of Croatian extraction, it was a lifetime of emotional build-up.

Forever dreaming of one day representing Australia at World Cup level, that dream is now a reality with the Socceroos bound for Germany next year, following their heart-stopping penalty shootout win at Telstra Stadium.

The triumph was particulraly sweet for the Socceroos who were involved in the failed attempt four years ago against the Uruguayans.

At an exclusive post-match function, the 'Croatian Herald' caught up with some of the Socceroos of Croatian extraction and asked them how they were feeling, as well as their thoughts on possibly coming up against Croatia at the World Cup next year in Germany.

JOSIP SKOKO:

On Australia qualifying for the World Cup:

"My third campaign has ended in the best way possible. No words can describe the feeling. Absolutely fantastic. We did it for Australia and for the football supporters".

On the possibility of facing Croatia:

"We would love to. There are eight of us in this team and we would all love to meet them in the WC. I think that would be a fantastic match".

JASON CULINA:

On Australia qualifying for the World Cup:

"Magical feeling, but it hasn't even properly sunk in yet. Everyone played well tonight".

On the possibility of facing Croatia:

"Just like any other game (laughs). It would be magic to play them, I have a few friends in the team so it would be great to face them".

MARCO BRESCIANO:

On Australia qualifying for the World Cup:

"It's a relief, we've worked really hard for this over the last four years. There have been a lot of sacrifices and plenty of dedication from everyone involved and it's just a relief that we have finally done it."

On the possibility of facing Croatia:

"I'm an Australian through and through. Not fussed about Italy or Croatia, I only care about Australia ."

TONY POPOVIC:

On Australia qualifying for the World Cup:

"Just been talking about it to a few friends and the feeling hasn't sunk in yet. Going to the World Cup is a dream come true, really looking forward to it."

On the possibility of facing Croatia:

"It would be brilliant. If we play Croatia it would be great, because there are so many Croatian boys in the team. We'd love to play Croatia . We would really enjoy it."

LJUBO MILICEVIC:

On Australia qualifying for the World Cup:

"It's great to be part of it. It hasn't sunk in yet but it will be great to be in Germany next year."

On the possibility of facing Croatia:

"We would all be buzzing to play against Croatia , word can't explain the feeling that we would get playing against the country of a our parents. That would be great."

MARK VIDUKA (Captain):

On Australia qualifying for the World Cup:

"What a feeling. It hasn't really sunk in yet but I think it's gonna be huge in Germany next year. We had the belief and confidence, all we needed was a bit of luck to get past this psychological hurdle and now we are finally going to the biggest sporting event in the world. With this team and this coach, we can cause a few upsets."

On the possibility of facing Croatia:

"I would love to play them. I have alot of mates in that team and their coach used to coach me at Dinamo Zagreb. Last time we played them we got trounced 6-0. This time around, I think we can beat them. Football is a funny game and maybe our destiny is to play the 'Vatreni'. Either way, it's still a long way away."

ZELJKO KALAC:

When we posed the above questions to 'Spider', the only reply we got from the jubilant and understandably exhilirated ex-Sydney United shot stopper was the following....

"Volim piti, volim piti i ljubiti, takvoga me majka rodi takav cu i ostarit!!!!!!!"

[SiN]

it would be great for australia to play croatia and get some more experience! ;)

[ema_scg]

That would be a good match up. Who would you Aussie Croats go for?

[chuncho_azul]

i say aussies win this one. hiddink is awesome!!

[davor_suker]

That would be a good match up. Who would you Aussie Croats go for?

I for one will be quite neutral, it doesnt really bother me who wins this one.
That being said, Croatia are heavy favourites and are better all over the park, and the Australian defence will certainly be tested. Here is what the croatia lineup will likely be -

---------------------Butina-------------------

-----Tomas------Robert Kovac-------Simunic(hehe)-------

---------------------Tudor-------------------------

----Srna-------------Niko Kovac----------Babic

--------------------Kranjcar--------------------

---------------Klasnic------Prso------

Butina plays for Brugge, excellent shot stopper, Boro actually want him...

Tomas plays for Galatasaray and was voted best player in Turkey last season. Very good yet simple defender.

Robert Kovac plays for Juventus, many coaches have called him the best man marker in the world, against class teams like France he has managed to completely mark out players such as Zidane etc...

Simunic the Aussie, excellent defender, 195cm is pretty much invincible in the air, deadly in set piece situations also. Considered best defender in the bundesliga.

This defence is tight and one of the best in Europe, but due to the attacking formation and concentration lapses theres no reason why Australia cant score.

Igor Tudor, owned by Juventus but injuries etc have caused him to be loaned out to Siena. Still an awesome player, massive physical presence (194cm, 91kg) is deadly in the air and has been brilliant for Croatia.

Dario Srna currently plays with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, but is wanted by a host of clubs including Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Excellent dribbler, excellent free kick taker - our star.

Niko Kovac plays for Hertha Berlin in Germany, great player for us, runs a lot always fights hard for the ball, not a great player but he doesnt stop running the whole game.

Marko Babic is a winger at Bayer Leverkusen. Supremely talented, excellent crosses, hes fast and can dribble and drew the Swedes mad with his dazzling runs down the flank (like Kewell against Uruguay:D )

Niko Kranjcar, this kid either dazzles or makes us want to kill ourselves. Hugely talented play maker, he has excellentshots, is an excellent dribbler and when he wants to makes the best defenders look like amateurs. Too bad hes lazy and slow, and has been stagnating recently. Still put in great performances though against Bulgaria and Brazil, and chips in with goals. Wanted by Lyon, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Klasnic is in fantastic form, scoring 10 goals already in the Bundesliga, but as of yet still hasnt transferred that form to our NT, constantly underperforming. Dangerous when firing though. Plays for Werder Bremen and wanted by Schalke and Inter.

Prso is a big man who can dribble and is lethal in the air - Always plays hard and at 190cm is pretty much impossible to push off the ball.

We also have some good strikers on the bench, ie - Olic who plays for CSKA and is one of the fastest players ive seen, and Balaban who plays for Brugge and is wanted by Lyon.
------

The key for Australia will be to shut down the wings, as Srna and Babic are both world class wingers and will pelt the box with crosses which will be met by many able strikers. Croatia is a big squad, infact the biggest in the world with an average height of 187cm, and they will have to be neutralised in the air.

[kewell_RuLeS!.]

Simunic the Aussie, excellent defender, 195cm is pretty much invincible in the air, deadly in set piece situations also. Considered best defender in the bundesliga.


The key for Australia will be to shut down the wings, as Srna and Babic are both world class wingers and will pelt the box with crosses which will be met by many able strikers. Croatia is a big squad, infact the biggest in the world with an average height of 187cm, and they will have to be neutralised in the air.[/QUOTE]


so thats why australia's defence sucks ass :lol:, croatia keeps stealing them.

where would you rate croatia in the world rankings?.

[Mirko Mandic]

where would you rate croatia in the world rankings?.

top 15-20, also SIMUNIC chose to play for CROATIA.

[davor_suker]

Croatia went undefeated in their wc qualifying group which included the likes of Sweden and Bulgaria. The defence is among the best in the world and fifa ranking places them at 19, even though we all know fifa rankings are horseshit...

Judging by recent performances they are among the best in Europe, having outperformed nations such as England in the qualifiers.

[Mirko Mandic]

ZELJKO KALAC:

When we posed the above questions to 'Spider', the only reply we got from the jubilant and understandably exhilirated ex-Sydney United shot stopper was the following....

"Volim piti, volim piti i ljubiti, takvoga me majka rodi takav cu i ostarit!!!!!!!"

ahhaahh vuco song....