Preview: Croatia vs. Australia

June 22nd, 2006 | by: WC Bob | View Comments

GAME DETAILS
Croatia vs. Australia, Stuttgart, 21:00 CET
Travel to Stuttgart
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World Cup Gear: Croatia | Australia

The Big Picture

Croatia need 3 points to advance, Australia could go through to the second round for the first time with just one (unless Japan beats Brazi by three goals). But that probably won’t matter because this is all about the rivalry. Seven of Australia’s squad could have Croatian heritage, which is why the Socceroos are sometimes referred to as Croatia II. With both teams agressive approach and the English Premier League’s Graham Poll on whistle duty, brace yourself for a manly manly game.

Scout Report – Australia
Australia should be full of confidence after their performance against Brazil. They lost, but went toe to toe for long periods. They’ll also be boosted by Harry Kewell’s escape from a ban after his finger-wagging incident with Markus Merk. He’s still not fully fit though, and neither is Tim Cahill, and Australia may need a big game from at least one of them.

Scout Report – Croatia
A win for Croatia would almost definitely see them take second place, but that requires goals and Croatia are yet to get off the mark. Srna’s penalty miss against Japan must hurt, but he needs to keep the supply line to Prso open, as he looks the Croatian’s most likely goal threat. He will be joined by a now fully fit Ivica Olic, who replaces the talented but goalshy Ivan Klasnic. Niko Kranjcar looked good against Japan, so expect him to add a touch of midfield class to what should be a physical game.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps, goals

Croatia (3-4-1-2): 1-Stipe Pletikosa (52-0); 13-Stjepan Tomas (48-1), 7-Dario Simic (82-3), 3-Josip Simunic (44-3); 2-Darijo Srna (38-9), 5-Igor Tudor (54-3), 10-Niko Kovac (60-8), 8-Marko Babic (35-3); 19-Niko Kranjcar (23-3); 17-Ivan Klasnic (22-7), 9-Dado Prso (31-9) Coach: Zlatko Kranjcar

Australia (4-5-1): 1-Mark Schwarzer (39-0); 7-Brett Emerton (50-11), 2-Lucas Neill (27-0), 3-Craig Moore (35-2), 14-Scott Chipperfield (48-11); 13-Vince Grella (19-0), 5-Jason Culina (15-1), 4-Tim Cahill (18-11), 23-Marco Bresciano (26-7), 21-Mile Sterjovski (23-4); 9-Mark Viduka (35-6) Coach: Guus Hiddink

LIVEBLOG
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS

Croatia Team Blog
Australia Team Blog