FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°27

World Cup newcomers Croatia have swaggered into France 98 with all the casual confidence of seasoned veterans.

The Croatians aim to virtually seal their spot in the second round, and end Japanese interest in the tournament, when they face Japan in their second Group H match at the La Beaujoire Stadium here on Saturday. The Croatians won their opener 3-1 against Jamaica-and looked potent in attack-despite the absence from the tournament of strikers Alen Boksic and Igor Cvitanovic.

They will probably be without another big name on Saturday with playmaker Zvonimir Boban expected to be ruled out by a calf muscle injury.

Such is the self-belief of this Croatian team, however, that they are able to put misfortune to one side and concentrate on the job in hand. “We’ve got a very strong side,” said striker Davor Suker. Utility player Mario Stanic was even more blunt. “We played a good opening game, but you will see an even stronger Croatia against Japan,” he predicted.

The Croatians were only reaffiliated to FIFA in 1992, but the World Cup is a familiar stage for two of their stars.

Robert Jarni and Robert Prosinecki both played for the old Yugoslavia in the 1994 finals in the United States and seven squad members in all have caps for two countries after switching their allegiance from Yugoslavia to Croatia.

Prosinecki made history against Jamaica, when he became the first player to score for two different nations in the finals. Defender Igor Stimac said there is a feeling in the Croatian camp that they can mount a serious threat to the big guns.

“This Croatian team is full of players who compete in the top leagues in Italy, Spain and Germany,” he said. “We should have gone a lot further than the quarter-finals in Euro 96, but thanks to a bad referee we lost out to Germany.”

Coach Miroslav Balzevic predicted before the tournament started that his team is capable of reaching the final four, and has said: “I don’t think Jamaica and Japan will be a threat. “ He was right about Jamaica, although the Japanese may prove more resilient at the back.

The Croatians will train at the La Beaujoire Stadium on Friday afternoon, just 90 minutes after flying into Nantes from their training base.

“That worked for us last time, so we’ll repeat the pattern,” the Croatians said.

The main threat to Croatia is likely to come from 21-year-old Japanese playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata, who hopes his performances in France will earn him a contract with a leading Spanish club after the finals.

Barcelona and Espanyol are both reported to be having him watched.

The Bellmare Hiratsuka star was outstanding in Japan’s opening 1-0 loss to Argentina but Japan have problems with the form of strikers Shoji Jo and Masashi Nakayama, who have scored just one goal between them in six internationals.

Nakayama is without a goal since April Fools’ Day.

Japanese coach Takeshi Okada has vowed his World Cup rookies will concentrate on their own play, rather than worry about stopping Croatia.“It is important to play football our way, no matter who will play on the opposite side,” Okada said. “Croatia are individually superb and can go a long way in the this tournament. We have come together in our awareness toward Croatia and done all we should do,” he added, without elaborating what changes he plans. Insiders believe he may call-up 18-year-old midfielder Shinji Ono to give the team more attacking punch.

For now, results are more important than style for the 2002 World Cup co-hosts if they are not to catch an early flight home.

“We want to win, no matter how,” said Okada. “It won’t be easy, but we will do our best.”