| Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Tomislav Butina | Goalkeeper | Club Bruges (Belgium) |
| Joe Didulica | Goalkeeper | Austria Vienna (Austria) |
| Stipe Pletikosa | Goalkeeper | Hajduk Split |
| Robert Kovac | Defender | Juventus (Italy) |
| Dario Simic | Defender | AC Milan (Italy) |
| Josip Simunic | Defender | Hertha Berlin (Germany) |
| Mario Tokic | Defender | Austria Vienna (Austria) |
| Stjepan Tomas | Defender | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
| Igor Tudor | Defender | Siena (Italy) |
| Marko Babic | Midfielder | Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) |
| Niko Kovac | Midfielder | Hertha Berlin (Germany) |
| Niko Kranjcar | Midfielder | Hajduk Split |
| Jerko Leko | Midfielder | Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) |
| Ivan Leko | Midfielder | Club Bruges (Belgium) |
| Luka Modric | Midfielder | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Anthony Seric | Midfielder | Panathinaikos (Greece) |
| Darijo Srna | Midfielder | Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) |
| Jurica Vranjes | Midfielder | Werder Bremen (Germany) |
| Bosko Balaban | Forward | Club Bruges (Germany) |
| Ivan Bosnjak | Forward | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Ivan Klasnic | Forward | Werder Bremen (Germany) |
| Ivica Olic | Forward | CSKA Moscow (Russia) |
| Dado Prso | Forward | Rangers (Scotland) |
| Head Coach: | Zlatko Kranjcar | |
Scouting Report
Style of Play: Zlatko Kranjcar typically uses an attacking 3-4-1-2 formation with his son, Niko, fitting in just behind the two strikers and acting as the side's chief playmaker. Niko is the fulcrum of the Croatian attack - the ball flows through him and he's the one that directs the traffic on the field. He's protected by the two defensive midfielders in the middle, Niko Kovac and Igor Tudor, and supported in attack by the two wide men, Darijo Srna and Marko Babic. These two are also vital to the attack, as they try to exploit the defence with their speed down the wings. Ideally, they'll play crosses into the middle where Dado Prso can take advantage of his height. He's a classic target man who likes high balls played up to him and who can hold up the play and find an open teammate. He's also very dangerous when he has his back to the net as he turns defenders with his power. The other forward, Ivica Olic, is a traditional striker who likes to run directly at defenders and take them on one-on-one.
Probable starting formation (3-4-1-2): (GK) Tomislav Butina - (D) Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Stjepan Tomas - (M) Darijo Srna, Igor Tudor, Niko Kovac, Marko Babic - (M) Niko Kranjcar - (F) Ivica Olic, Dado Prso
Strengths:
Midfield depth - Croatia has a wealth of attacking options in midfield,
including Ukrainian league star Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), and Hajduk
Split's Niko Kranjcar, one of the best young players in Croatia's domestic
league. Darijo Srna, also of Shakhtar Donetsk, is a dangerous right winger
and Marko Babic is a real livewire down the left flank. Kranjcar, the coach's
son, pulls the creative strings with aplomb from the centre of midfield.
Defence - Croatia only gave up five goals in ten qualifying games.
Its stellar defensive record was a reflection on Robert Kovac, a veteran central
defender who plays in Serie A, the Italian first division, with Juventus.
Kovac anchors a three-man defence, and is ably supported by Josip Simunic
and Stjepan Tomas, two underrated defenders. Igor Tudor, a solid defensive
midfielder, acts as the first line of defence, shielding the back three.
Goalkeeping - Croatia's tight defence is backed up by the equally stingy
Tomislav Butina. The 32-year-old is an experienced goalkeeper who exhibits
great command of his penalty area. Backup Stipe Pletikosa has over 45 caps
to his credit, and is an excellent shot stopper whose speciality is saving
penalty shots.
Weaknesses:
Overall depth - Croatia has a strong starting 11, but is pretty short
of quality backups on the bench, goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa notwithstanding.
Croatia has very few reserves that can come on as substitutes and perform
at the same level. Its lack of depth is especially worrisome up front where
Ivan Klasnic is the only forward that can replace starters Dado Prso and Ivac
Olic without Croatia suffering a real drop off in quality.
Untested in qualifying - Aside from Sweden, Croatia was hardly challenged
in the qualifying round, feasting on Malta, Iceland, Bulgaria and Hungary
- not exactly the elite teams of European soccer. Croatia comes into the tournament
full of confidence, but they'd be foolish in thinking that its qualifying
record is a sign of things to come in Germany. Croatia will have a much harder
time against Brazil, Australia and Japan.
Recent history - Croatia has stumbled badly at the last two major soccer
tournaments. The Croats finished a disappointing third place in their group
at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, failing to advance beyond the opening
round. Both times they entered the competition with great expectations and
full of promise, and both times they failed to deliver. The Croats seemed
to have developed a bit of a mental block.
Players to watch:
Niko Kranjcar: The son's coach is a starter but nepotism isn't at work
here. Kranjcar is the creative fulcrum of the team, serving as the main playmaker
who directs the attack. Slotting in just behind the two strikers, Kranjcar
uses his vision and exquisite passes to spring the forwards past the defenders
and into the penalty area. Look for the 21-year-old to be one of the breakout
stars of the tournament.
Dado Prso: A hard-working player and Croatia's main striker. Prso is
excellent in the air, using his height to control high balls played forward
to him. He uses his strength to aptly hold the play up and keep possession
before distributing the ball to teammates who are in a better scoring position.
He's also a dangerous goal-scorer, bagging five goals in the qualifying games.
Darijo Srna: The Ukrainian league star causes defenders serious fits
with his speed and dangerous runs down the right wing. He's a solid two-way
player - he always drops back and fulfills his defensive responsibilities,
and can bomb forward in an instant to lend support to the attack. He also
has an eye for goal, as he scored five times in the qualifiers.
Key injuries/omissions: Argentine forward Daniel Bilos was offered a chance to represent Croatia several months ago - he qualifies for Croatia through his grandparents - but he turned down the offer.
Prognosis: A first-round exit four years ago, coupled with its poor showing at Euro 2004, has many pundits underestimating Croatia ahead of this year's World Cup. It wouldn't be wise to write them off just yet, however, as Croatia boasts a strong starting lineup with defensive solidity and attacking flair. Croatia is an attack-minded side whose players are always working, always running and who always display fighting spirit. It will serve them well in Germany. The Croats should not take Japan and Australia lightly - both sides are very hungry and eager - because if they do, they'll drop points and could find itself it a real fight for survival in Group F. All things being equal, the Croats will finish second in the group, behind Brazil, and though they won't match the amazing semifinal run of the 1998 team, an appearance in the quarter-finals in Germany is not out of the question.
Road to the World Cup
Current FIFA Ranking: #23
1st round matches:
June 13 vs. Brazil in Berlin
June 18 vs. Japan in Nuremburg
June 22 vs. Australia in Stuttgart
2006 qualification route: Croatia finished in first place (24 points)
in Europe's Group 8 ahead of Sweden (24 points).
Qualifying record: 10 games played, 7 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses
Goals for: 21 Goals against: 5
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Dado Prso and Darijo Srna (5)
Qualifying results: (home team listed first)
Sept. 4, 2004 - Croatia 3, Hungry 0
Sept. 8, 2004 - Sweden 0, Croatia 1
Oct. 9, 2004 - Croatia 2, Bulgaria 2
March 26, 2005 - Croatia 4, Iceland 0
March 30, 2005 - Croatia 3, Malta 0
June 4, 2005 - Bulgaria 1, Croatia 3
Sept. 3, 2005 - Iceland 1, Croatia 3
Sept. 7, 2005 - Malta 1, Croatia 1
Oct. 8, 2005 - Croatia 1, Sweden 0
Oct. 12, 2005 - Hungry 0, Croatia 0
World Cup History
FIFA member since: 1992
Team nickname: Vatreni (Fiery)
All-time caps leader: Robert Jarni (81)
All-time leading scorer: Davor Suker (45 goals)
Number of Previous World Cup Appearances: 2
All-time record: 10 games played, 6 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses
Goals for: 13 Goals against: 8
World Cup History:
1930 to 1990 - Part of Yugoslavia, so no independent involvement
1994 - Did not enter
1998 - Semifinals (3rd place)
2002 - First Round
Biggest victory: 3-0 vs. Germany in 1998
Biggest defeat: 2-1 vs. France in 1998
Overall top scorer: Davor Suker (6 goals)
Most appearances: Robert Jarni (10 matches)
Hosted the World Cup: Never
Past Achievements:
World Cup Semifinalists: 1998 in France
Greatest Players:
Zvonimir Boban: A creative playmaker and a dangerous goal-scorer, Boban
was one of Croatia's heroes from 1998 in France. He became a legend in European
soccer during a successful stint with Italy's AC Milan, paving the way for
other Croatian players to follow in his footsteps and make a name for themselves
in the top leagues across western Europe.
Davor Suker: Croatia's all-time leading scorer with 45 goals, Suker was a talented striker who played for some of the biggest clubs in European soccer, including Real Madrid and Arsenal. Suker shot to fame in 1998 when he scored six goals at the World Cup in France. He finished as the tournament's top scorer and guided Croatia to a remarkable third-place finish.