FRANCE 98 – Croatia – M. Blazevic: “I'm enormously afraid of this Japanese team”

Comments from NANTES

“To be frank, I’m enormously afraid of this Japanese team, as in the four-and-a-half years that I’ve been in charge of the Croatian selection they’re one of the five nations that has beaten us [4-3, 8^th June 1997]. They confirmed my belief in their ability in their first match, against ARGENTINA. This Japanese selection have stunning physical qualities, and we have to be on our guard. They have successfully adopted a modern game that doesn’t leave much space for their opposition. While nobody is as strong technically as CROATIA, we must remain humble. Qualification for the second round remains our sole preoccupation. Winning in NANTES, where I still have a lot of friends, would really please me.”