Croatia - a guide to the World Cup hopefuls
Croatia are making just their fourth appearance at the finals of the World Cup with their debut campaign remaining their most memorable, when they finished third in France 1998. The Balkan side have a point to prove after missing out on South Africa 2010.
Friday 6 June 2014 14:27, UK
Croatia’s passage to Brazil was far from smooth, but the 1998 semi-finalists have a squad capable of causing an upset and progressing to the latter stages.
The Balkan nation dropped just two points during their first six qualifying games, before losing three and drawing one of their next four. Second place behind Belgium secured a play-off meeting with Iceland, but led to Igor Stimac quitting his post after their 2-0 loss to Scotland in their final group game.
A 2-0 aggregate victory over perceived play-off minnows Iceland saw Croatia through to their fourth World Cup finals, where they have the daunting task of opening the tournament against hosts Brazil in Sao Paulo on June 12.
Croatia’s Group A fixtures
1. Thursday June 12: Brazil v Croatia – Sao Paulo (21.00)
2. Wednesday June 18 Cameroon v Croatia – Manaus (23.00)
3. Monday June 23 Croatia v Mexico – Recife (21.00)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Kovac stepped up to take charge of the national side from his role with the U21 team after Igor Stimac resigned following Croatia’s struggles in the latter stages of the qualifying campaign. The former Croatia international, with brother Robert working as his assistant, guided his side through their play-off encounter with Iceland.
Star man: Luka Modric
Luka Modric will be the man tasked with providing the creative spark for Croatia in Brazil this summer. The former Tottenham playmaker left the Premier League after four successful seasons when Real Madrid tabled a £33million bid in the summer of 2012. Despite the array of talent on display at Santiago Bernabeu, Modric has been utilised regularly by both Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti during the last two seasons.
Tournament best: Third place 1998
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld, Danijel Pranjic (both Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Sammir (Getafe), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka)
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)
British based players: Dejan Lovren (Southampton) and Nikica Jelavic (Hull City).
Sky Bet odds: 175/1
Like Mexico, Croatia had to progress through the play-offs after finishing second in qualifying. The Croats face Brazil in the tournament’s curtain-raiser and are 13/2 to spoil the party with a win, 5/4 to qualify and 9/1 to win Group A. Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic will be expected to be their leading marksman at 125/1 for the top scorer award, while Real Madrid’s Luka Modric arguably plays an even more vital role as playmaker.
