Preview: Croatia vs. Australia
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
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Croatia vs. Australia LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match
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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS
Croatia will be without Robert Kovac who is out with yellow card accumulations
Croatia beat Australia 7-0 in a friendly in June 1998.
Like 2002, Croatia go into the final group match looking for a result to gain qualification. Four years ago, they crashed out with a 1-0 loss to Ecuador having beaten Italy 2-1 in the second match.
Croatia Team Blog
Buy a Croatia jersey to support the team
95% of the world’s open mines are in Australia
In Melbourne, its an offence to drive a dog or goat harnessed or attached to a vehicle in a public place.
Also in Melbourne, it is against the law to sing an obscene song, tune or ballad within earshot of someone.
Australia Team Blog
Team Roster
Buy an Australia jersey to support the team
TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
Croatia Team Blog
Australia Team Blog
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Comments
By ANTE | June 21st, 2006 at 6:16 pm 
croatia will win 3-1
Posted from 
Canada
By Dar Koze | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:04 am Nil-Nil through 1st half and 10 minutes of 2nd half. Niko K. gives his dad a late Father’s Day gift with a powerful goal. Tim Cahill gets vicously clipped by one of the contestants for Most Unsightly Player of WC, Igor Tudor. Olic comes through with a late second goal. At end of game Croat-Australians join with Equipa Croatia at center pitch and they roast a kangaroo while drinking Karlovacka piva.
2-0, Croatia
P.S. Jerko Leko, one of Bob’s favorite names, fianlly gets to converse with Bob on Linguistics and Misunderstanding due to Syllable Enunciation. Beers all around.
Posted from 
United States
By Dar Koze | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:05 am Just a test..
Posted from United States
By Dar Koze | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:06 am Trying to get through the Spam Net.
Posted from United States
By Koze Dar | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:07 am Trying to make a comment through spam net….
Posted from United States
By Koze Dar | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:08 am Trying #4. What hath I done wrong?
Posted from United States
By Caveman Engineer | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:08 am Hrvatska…
Posted from United States
By Dar Koze | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:10 am Hrvatska…coming through
Posted from United States
By Caveman Engineer | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:11 am Hrvatksa….konacno.
Croatia….finally…
Posted from United States
By dorkyboy » Blog Archive » big day, part the second | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:58 pm [...] and so, australia take on australia b this evening in stuttgart, needing a win or a draw to advance to the next round for the first time ever. a win guarantees our qualification, whilst a draw relies on japan not beating brazil, and by a fairly healthy margin at that, in order to make up the goal difference. if we lose, we’re out. [...]
Posted from United States
By Foobar | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:12 pm Australia is doing great considering their WC inexperience and have impressive sporting success in general for their small population. I think they could be the biggest surprise of the tournament.
Posted from United States
By Norbert | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:23 pm Croatia will win, I suppose.
Posted from 
Germany
Comments are closed
