- MENU
- HOME
- SEARCH
- WORLD
- MAIN
- AFRICA
- ASIA
- BALKANS
- EUROPE
- LATIN AMERICA
- MIDDLE EAST
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Benelux
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Poland
- Russia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- USA
- BUSINESS
- WEALTH
- STOCKS
- TECH
- HEALTH
- LIFESTYLE
- ENTERTAINMENT
- SPORTS
- RSS
- iHaveNet.com: Soccer
Croatia Looks to Make Its Mark at World Cup
by Kruno Kartus
After a month of preparation in the fresh alpine air in Austria, the Croatian national football team is spending several days at the Brazilian resort of Praia do Forte, adapting to the warm, humid climate and preparing to play in the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday (June 12th) against host nation Brazil.
Croatia enters the World Cup led by a manager who, as recently as last autumn, was not in line to be guiding the squad.
Niko Kovac was named to coach the country's under-21 squad in January 2013. But in October the Croatian Football Federation -- displeased with the performance of the senior national team under manager Igor Stimac -- made a change, sacking Stimac and tapping Kovac to replace him.
The 42-year-old Kovac was born in Berlin and spent nearly 20 years playing for clubs in Germany and Austria. He made 83 appearances and scored 14 goals for Croatia's national team from 1996 to 2008. His debut as the national team's manager came November 15th in Reykjavik as Croatia and Iceland played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of a two-game World Cup playoff qualifier.
Four days later in Zagreb, Croatia clinched a berth in the World Cup by beating Iceland 2-0 in the second leg.
Seven months later, Kovac is optimistic heading into the match with Brazil -- a team widely regarded as a favourite to win the tournament.
"For us it is an honour to open the World Cup against Brazil and, if we play with them, it is better to play first than the second or third game," Kovac told reporters last week. "Pressure on Brazil is huge, it will exceed the one which they feel in clubs. We all know their expectations. I think our group is one of the toughest in the tournament, so I cannot promise anything, but we'll do our best so that we were among those who will go through to the second round."
Croatia had an impressive opening act on the world stage, taking third place in its inaugural World Cup appearance in 1998. But the team failed to advance past the group stage in 2002 and 2006, and did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
The Croatian team consists of highly experienced players, familiar to European football fans. Among the most prominent of them is central midfielder Luka Modric, who last month played a key role as Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League Final. Modric's assist in the 93rd minute set up the tying goal and Real Madrid went on to beat Athletico Madrid, 4-1.
Modric's performance earned him selection to the 18-player UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.
English Premier League players Dejan Lovren, a defender for Southampton, and Nikica Jelavic, a striker for Hull City, are among the other headline players. Winger Ivan Perisic scored 10 goals in 33 games this past season for Wolfsburg of the German Bundesliga, and struck twice against Mali to lead Croatia to a 2-1 victory in a friendly on May 31st.
Team captain Darijo Srna, who has played since 2003 for Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to face Brazil in the World Cup again. He was part of Croatia's 2006 team that lost 1-0 to the Brazilians in Germany.
"The greatest strength of Brazil is that they are playing at home," said Srna, a veteran of 112 international appearances for Croatia. "But this is a new Brazil, with the best manager, [Luiz Felipe] Scolari, with a lot of quality players, and I think this team is more dangerous than the Brazil of Germany [in 2006]. Every day I hear people I know, and they are all aware that the public expects the championship of them, but we will look for our chance."
Ivica Olic, a 34-year-old striker and teammate of Perisic's with Wolfsburg, is cautious in predicting the outcome of the first match, but confident in the team's potential. In its other two first-round matches, Croatia will face Cameroon on June 18th and Mexico on June 23rd.
"Brazil is a favourite not only in the group, but the entire World Cup," said Olic, who scored 14 goals in 31 games for Wolfsburg this past season and has 18 international goals in his career. "Given their quality, we leave them a major role, while Croatia, Cameroon and Mexico are to fight for second place. There's plenty of time to get acquainted with Cameroon and Mexico, they certainly see their chance, but I believe we will find our way to the second round."
In the 2006 World Cup encounter with Brazil, Croatia lost 1-0, but did generate several scoring chances while its defence largely stymied the Brazilian attack. Ball possession was even in the match.
"Brazil now has a better defence than the 2006 team," Olic said. "Then we lost 1-0, but now we know they are not aliens from space that nobody can go against."
Ivan Ivkovic, who covers football for the website Tportal, said Croatia should have a potent attack, led by midfielders Ivan Raktic and Modric.
Like Modric, Raktic is a standout in Spain's La Liga, where he scored 12 goals in 34 games this past season for Sevilla.
"No one argues Croatia is a force in the midfield, where there are world class players such as Modric or Raktic, technically almost perfect with a great vision of the game," Ivkovic told SETimes. "This team definitely has the talent and experience to make it one of the positive surprises of this championship. Euphoria will be great considering that the whole world will watch the match against Brazil, and Croats are known as a nation that loves football. If they avoid losing this game, the euphoria will grow to enormous proportions."
More WORLD CUP SOCCER ...
- Gotze Goal Earns Germany World Cup
- Fans Watch Germany Win Over Argentina
- Germany Wins World Cup for 1st Time in 24 Years
- Germans Celebrate, Argentines Mourn
- Messi: We Had Our Chances
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Argentina vs Germany
- World Cup Finals: It All Comes Down To This
- Argentina vs Germany: World Cup Final Preview
- World Cup Final Pits Argentina Against Germany
- Who to Root For During World Cup 2014 Final Match
- Dutch Claim 3rd Place with 3-0 Win Over Brazil
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Brazil vs Netherlands
- 7 Hottest Fans at The 2014 World Cup
- Hottest Girls in the Crowd at The 2014 World Cup
- The World Cup's Biggest All Time Shocks
- Argentina Faces Germany in World Cup Final
- Argentina Advances to Final with PK Win over Dutch
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Netherlands vs Argentina
- Brazil's Humiliating Loss to Germany Breaks Twitter Record
- Brazil: The Day After
- Brazilians Confront Defeat
- Scolari Reacts to Germany Route
- Germany Thrashes Brazil 7-1
- Numerous Records Set in German Demolishing of Brazil
- Germany 7, Brazil 1: 'Nuff Said
- Brazil Needed More Than Neymar Masks
- Brazilians Dejected After World Cup Loss
- Processing Brazil's World Cup Humiliation
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Brazil vs Germany
- Argentina vs Netherands World Cup Semifinal Preview
- Netherlands Downs Costa Rica on PKs
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Netherlands vs Costa Rica
- Argentina into Semis with 1-0 Win Over Belgium
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Argentina vs Belgium
- Neymar and Brazil in Pain
- Brazil Eliminates Colombia 2-1
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Brazil vs Colombia
- Germany Beats European Rival France, 1-0
- 2014 World Cup Photos - France vs Germany
- Quarterfinals Preview: Costa Rica Vs Netherlands
- Quarterfinals Preview: Argentina vs Belgium
- Will World Cup Run Help Soccer Catch On in The States?
- US Goalie Tim Howard's Top Memes and Twitter Reactions
- Soccer Fans React to Team USA Defeat
- Chris Wondolowski Miss Crushes Every American
- United States Falls to Belgium 2-1
- Tim Howard: Part Brick Wall, Part Superhero, All-American Hero
- 2014 World Cup Photos - United States vs Belgium
- Di Maria Nets Winner for Argentina
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Argentina vs Switzerland
- Klinsmann: US Team has No Fear Ahead of Belgium Match
- Team USA Veteran Sizes Up Belgian Squad
- Germany Advances to Quarterfinals with 2-1 Win Over Algeria
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Germany vs Algeria
- France Beats Nigeria 2-0 to Reach World Cup Quarterfinals
- 2014 World Cup Photos - France vs Nigeria
- Costa Rica Downs Greece on PKs to Advance
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Costa Rica vs Greece
- Netherlands Beats Mexico with Last-Minute Penalty
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Netherlands vs Mexico
- Colombia Advances with 2-0 Win Over Uruguay
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Colombia vs Uruguay
- Brazil Defeats Chile on Penalty Kicks
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Brazil vs Chile
- Suarez Claims Chiellini Bite Was An Accident
- Greek History Lesson Makes Coach Wary of Costa Rica Threat
- South America Takes Center Stage as Knockout Round Kicks Off
- World Cup Soccer Fans Celebrate Worldwide
- Chile: Forget History, We're Coming for You Brazil
- World Cup Predictions: Colombia Vs Uruguay
- World Cup Predictions: Brazil vs Chile
- Is a Laser To Blame for Russia's Loss to Algeria?
- What Are Team USA's Chances in the Knockout Stage?
- USA Advances, Despite Loss to Germany
- 2014 World Cup Photos - United States vs Germany
- Portugal and Ghana Exit 2014 World Cup
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Portugal vs Ghana
- Algeria Through to Knockout Round After 1-1 Draw with Russia
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Algeria vs Russia
- Belgium Tops Group H with 1-0 Win Over South Korea
- Productivity Comes to Screeching Halt During USA vs Germany Game
- Oh, So Now America Cares About Soccer?
- Luis Suarez Banned 4 Months for World Cup Biting Incident
- Forget The Suarez Bite: 5 of the Most Shocking World Cup Moments
- Neymar Investigated by FIFA for Underwear Violation
- USA Soccer Coach Pens 'Get Out of Work' Note for World Cup Match
- Lionel Messi's Grandfather Blasts His World Cup Form
- Top 10 Most Popular Soccer Players on Facebook
- Do Or Die Time: USA Vs. Germany World Cup Game Preview
- Stage Set for USA - Germany World Cup Matchup
- Shaqiri Carries Switzerland Past Honduras
- Ecuador Holds France to Scoreless Draw
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Ecuador vs France
- Messi Brace Leads Argentina Past Nigeria
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Nigeria vs Argentina
- Greece Through to Knock-Out Stage with Late PK
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Greece vs Ivory Coast
- Colombia Crushes Japan to Win Group
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Colombia vs Japan
- Uruguay Advances with Victory Over Italy
- Luis Suarez Bites Italian Defender At World Cup, Uruguay Advances
- Internet Reacts To The Suarez World Cup Bite
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Italy vs Uruguay
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Costa Rica vs England
- Mexico Advances to Knockout Round
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Mexico vs Croatia
- Neymar Powers Brazil Past Cameroon
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Brazil vs Cameroon
- Spain Beats Australia 3-0
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Australia vs Spain
- Netherlands Blanks Chile 2-0
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Netherlands vs Chile
- How the United States Advances to the Knockout Stage
- How Far Do Soccer Players Really Run During A Match?
- USA - Portugal Match Pauses For First Ever World Cup Water Break
- Portugal Stuns USA With Last Second Goal to Draw 2-2
- 2014 World Cup Photos - United States vs Portugal
- Algeria Beats South Korea 4-2 In Group H
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Algeria vs South Korea
- Origi Nets Late Winner for Belgium
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Belgium vs Russia
- What Are Team USA's Chances Of Advancing In The World Cup?
- Messi Delivers as Argentina Beats Iran
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Argentina vs Iran
- Klose Salvages 2-2 Tie for Germany
- Nigeria Holds On for Win Over Bosnia
- USA Wants to Put Portugal and Ronaldo in Their Place
- U.K. Press Not Especially Happy With England World Cup Exit
- France Crushes Switzerland 5-2
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Switzerland vs France
- Costa Rica Stuns Italy
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Italy vs Costa Rica
- Valencia Brace lifts Ecuador Past Honduras
- Luis Suarez Returns to Lead Uruguay over England 2-1
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Uruguay vs England
- Japan and Greece Battle to 0-0 Draw
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Japan vs Greece
- Colombia Beats Ivory Coast to Close in on Knockout Round
- Chile Knocks Out Reigning Champions Spain
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Chile vs Spain
- Chile Too Hot for Spain in World Cup Shock
- Is This an End of an Era for Spain?
- Dutch Beat Australia 3-2 in World Cup Classic
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Netherlands vs Australia
- Croatia Eliminates Cameroon from World Cup in 4-0 Thrashing
- Brazil and Mexico Battle to 0-0 Draw
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Mexico vs Brazil
- Belgium Stages Comeback to Beat Algeria 2-1
- Korea and Russia Tie in Their World Cup Opener
- 2014 World Cup Photos - South Korea vs Russia
- John Brooks Predicted World Cup Goal in Dream
- USA World Cup Mania: Thrilling, Unpredictable, Uninformed
- John Brooks Unlikely Hero for USA Against Ghana
- USA Fans Celebrate in Brazil After Ghana Win
- #WorldCup Takes Over Social Media
- Neymar: Soccer Star or Hair Idol?
- How The World Cup Tournament Works
- USA Beats Ghana 2-1
- 2014 World Cup Photos - United States vs Ghana
- Nigeria and Iran in Lacklustre 0-0 Draw
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Nigeria vs Iran
- Germany Beats Portugal 4-0
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Germany vs Portugal
- World Cup: United States vs Ghana Preview
- France, Argentina and the Swiss Win World Cup Openers
- Argentina Celebrates After Messi Seals 2-1 Victory Over Bosnia
- Argentina Holds Off Bosnia 2-1
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Argentina vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Switzerland Scores Late to Beat Ecuador
- Swiss Fans Celebrate 2-1 Victory Against Ecuador
- France Supporters Ecstatic After 3-0 Victory
- 2014 World Cup Photos - France vs Honduras
-
Ivory Coast Rallies Past Japan 2-1
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Japan vs Ivory Coast
- Costa Rica Rallies for 3-1 Win Over Uruguay
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Uruguay vs Costa Rica
- Costa Rican Fans Ecstatic with 3-1 Victory Over Uruguay
- Italy Holds on for 2-1 Win Over England
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Italy vs England
- Colombia Comfortably Overcomes Greece in World Cup
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Colombia vs Greece
- Defiant Spain Players Vow to Fight Back After Dutch Humiliation
- Spain Humiliated 5-1 by Netherlands
- Chile Downs Australia 3-1
- Peralta's Goal Gives Mexico 1-0 Victory Over Cameroon in Group A
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Netherlands vs Spain
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Mexico vs Cameroon
- 2014 World Cup Photos - Chile vs Australia
- Fans Shocked as Netherlands Thrash Spain 5-1 in Their World Cup Opener
- Croatia's Coach Says Team is Positive, Focusing on Next Match
- The Beautiful Game Of Soccer
- Tim Howard on Diving: 'If Teammates Feel Contact, They Should Go Down'
- 5 Most Incredible World Cup Moments
- Top 10 Players to Watch During the 2014 World Cup
- Spain, Netherlands Meet Again - Mexico Takes on Cameroon
- Neymar Sinks Croatia in Opener, Controversy Ensues
- Neymar Rescues Brazil in World Cup Opener
- Host Brazil Eyes Sixth World Cup Title
- Croatia Looks to Make Its Mark at World Cup
- World Cup Preview: Four Games to Watch
- Brazil's Neymar Dreams of World Cup Title Not Best Player Honors
- Comedian John Oliver Offers a Reality Check on FIFA
- USA Coach: 'World Cup Win Is Not Realistic'
- World Cup Ball: What Makes The Brazuca Special
- Abolish FIFA?
- USA Coach Klinsmann's World Cup Outlook
- Greece Optimistic About World Cup Chances
- World Cup Appearance Unites BiH Soccer Fans
- 2014 World Cup by the Numbers
- Brazil Ready to Play 'With or Without Neymar'
- German Captain Lahm Ready for World Cup
- England Ready to Face Italy in World Cup
- Spain Focusing on Strong Opening Match Against Netherlands
- Will the United States Survive the 'Group of Death?'
- Ghana Shifting Defense for Fabian Johnson
- Meet the 'Brazuca': Official World Cup Ball
- 2014 FIFA World Cup Bold Predictions
- All-Time Greatest FIFA World Cup
- Top 5 World Cup Soccer Conspiracies
- World Cup 2014: How Referees Are Chosen
- World Cup 2014: Webb Cautious About Goal-Line Technology
- South Africa's World Cup Legacy Lives On
- World Cup 2014: Is Brazil Ready?
- 2014 World Cup - Messi or Neymar: Who Has Most to Prove?
- The United States Men's National Soccer Team
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: Schedule, Standings and Results
- FIFA's Valcke Says Last Minute Preparations 'Normal' Considering Late Delivery of Stadiums
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: Group A Preview
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: Group B Preview
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: Group C Preview
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: Group E Preview
- 2014 FIFA World Cup: Group F Preview
- The Allure of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
- Can the United States Win the World Cup?
- United States World Cup Squad Has a Few Surprises
- Mexico's 'Grand Warlock' Predicts Brazil Will Win World Cup
- Weight of Expectation on Brazil Team
- 2014 World Cup: USA Coach Herzog Sizes Up the 'Group of Death'
- New Deal Makes Lionel Messi Highest Paid Player in the World
- Trick Soccer Play Fools Goalkeeper, Wins The Game
- Top 10 BEST European Signings of the Season
- Guide to the 2014 FIFA World Cup
- Why Are Brazilians Indifferent to World Cup?
- 2014 World Cup: Greece Prepares for Upcoming World Cup
- Mexico Aims to Match 1986 World Cup Success
- Spain Prepares for Brazil to Defend Their World Cup Title
Article: Distributed via Southeast European Times
"Croatia Looks to Make Its Mark at World Cup "