Qatar2022: Croatia's Coach Expresses Respect for Japanese Squad, Asserting His Team's Realism

Doha, December 04 (QNA) - The Coach of the Croatian national football team Zlatko Dalic expressed his hope that his country will continue its participation in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and that it will surpass its Japanese counterpart in tomorrow's encounter at Al Janoub Stadium in the World Cup’s round of 16. The 56-year-old coach added that his team is aware that the match will be difficult, yet it must persevere against its resilient opponent. The Coach explained that in the previous edition, the Croatian team believed in its ability and was able to reach the final. Dalic continued that the squad has the ability to play with great competitiveness and is confident of winning, considering that the team is fully prepared. Dalic expressed respect towards the competing Japanese team, which was able to outperform Germany and Spain, playing with the mentality of a warrior and the philosophy of a samurai. The coach also said that his team will try in its training to focus on some tactical aspects and study the way in which its opponent plays, adding that the Croatian squad will play with a great focus on counterattacks, and that it must avoid falling into the trap set by the Japanese national team for Germany and Spain. Additionally, it will also attach special importance to set pieces. Dalic commented that the national team’s captain, Luka Modric, still has a lot to offer, pointing out that the squad plays with a team spirit where everyone plays for the interest of the national team. Croatia’s coach pointed out that the squad has achieved great successes recently, becoming one of the world’s major teams, and that tomorrow’s encounter will be against a competitor who wants to prove its ability to shine beyond the group stage, stressing the importance of playing with great realism in order to maintain its successes, making everyone in Croatia happy and proud of what their squad has achieved. Dalic, who led Croatia to the runners-up of the previous edition in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia concluded that although the squad does not seek to arrive at penalty kicks, but if it were the case, the Croatian team will be ready, since it is a team that is capable of meeting aspirations and hopes, concluding that in football, whoever dreams, is able to achieve their dreams. For his part, defender of the Croatian national team Josko Gvardiol said that he is confident in his teammates' ability to play with a high fighting spirit and great responsibility in order to please the Croatian fans and reach the quarterfinals. The Croatian defender added that the Japanese national team plays in a great way and relies on high fighting spirit. Gvardiol concluded that he hopes that the squad will be able to benefit from its coach's experience in tomorrow's match and succeed in achieving victory to reach the quarterfinals. The Croatian team is Group F’s runner-up in the group stage, with five points. The Group is topped by the Moroccan team with seven points. (QNA)