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Croatia call up three uncapped players for friendly
ZAGREB, May 2 (Reuters) - Croatia coach Mirko Jozic, faced with the absence of key players due to club commitments, has included three new faces in his squad for the country's final World Cup warm-up match away to Hungary next Wednesday.
The uncapped players are Wolfsburg striker Tomislav Maric, who was called up earlier this year but then sidelined with a broken rib, Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Jerko Leko and defender Filip Tapalovic of TSV 1860 Munich.
Players missing include defensive stalwarts Igor Tudor of Juventus and Bayern Munich's Robert Kovac, top scorer Davor Suker, now with 1860 Munich, and Middlesbrough striker Alen Boksic, while Jurica Vranjes of Bayer Leverkusen is doubtful.
Jozic said the new players should give their best in the match due to take place in Pecs, though few of them are likely to snatch a last-minute place in the World Cup-bound squad.
A possible exception, should he impress, is 28-year old Maric, who has been on target regularly in the Bundesliga and would be a valuable addition to his country's strikeforce.
Croatia, who finished third at the 1998 World Cup in France, boosted their confidence with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia last month after two goalless draws earlier this year prompted waves of criticism and concern about their scoring abilities.
The squad will travel to Austria for a week of training on May 12 before leaving for Japan, where they face Italy, Mexico and Ecuador in the first stage of the tournament, which kicks off in Seoul, South Korea on May 31.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Tomislav Butina (Dinamo Zagreb), Vladimir Vasilj (FC Zagreb)
Defenders: Robert Jarni (Panathinaikos), Dario Simic (Inter Milan), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Anthony Seric ( Hellas Verona), Filip Tapalovic (TSV 1860 Munich), Goran Sablic (Hajduk Split)
Midfielders: Daniel Saric (Panathinaikos), Robert Prosinecki (Portsmouth), Milan Rapaic (Fenerbahce), Jasmin Agic (Dinamo Zagreb), Jerko Leko (Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kovac (Bayern Munich), Jurica Vranjes (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Mladen Petric (Grasshoppers), Ivica Olic (FC Zagreb), Tomislav Maric (Wolfsburg)
05/02/02 06:44 ET
ZAGREB, May 2 (Reuters) - Croatia coach Mirko Jozic, faced with the absence of key players due to club commitments, has included three new faces in his squad for the country's final World Cup warm-up match away to Hungary next Wednesday.
The uncapped players are Wolfsburg striker Tomislav Maric, who was called up earlier this year but then sidelined with a broken rib, Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Jerko Leko and defender Filip Tapalovic of TSV 1860 Munich.
Players missing include defensive stalwarts Igor Tudor of Juventus and Bayern Munich's Robert Kovac, top scorer Davor Suker, now with 1860 Munich, and Middlesbrough striker Alen Boksic, while Jurica Vranjes of Bayer Leverkusen is doubtful.
Jozic said the new players should give their best in the match due to take place in Pecs, though few of them are likely to snatch a last-minute place in the World Cup-bound squad.
A possible exception, should he impress, is 28-year old Maric, who has been on target regularly in the Bundesliga and would be a valuable addition to his country's strikeforce.
Croatia, who finished third at the 1998 World Cup in France, boosted their confidence with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia last month after two goalless draws earlier this year prompted waves of criticism and concern about their scoring abilities.
The squad will travel to Austria for a week of training on May 12 before leaving for Japan, where they face Italy, Mexico and Ecuador in the first stage of the tournament, which kicks off in Seoul, South Korea on May 31.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Tomislav Butina (Dinamo Zagreb), Vladimir Vasilj (FC Zagreb)
Defenders: Robert Jarni (Panathinaikos), Dario Simic (Inter Milan), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Anthony Seric ( Hellas Verona), Filip Tapalovic (TSV 1860 Munich), Goran Sablic (Hajduk Split)
Midfielders: Daniel Saric (Panathinaikos), Robert Prosinecki (Portsmouth), Milan Rapaic (Fenerbahce), Jasmin Agic (Dinamo Zagreb), Jerko Leko (Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kovac (Bayern Munich), Jurica Vranjes (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Mladen Petric (Grasshoppers), Ivica Olic (FC Zagreb), Tomislav Maric (Wolfsburg)
05/02/02 06:44 ET