[HajdukSplit]

The first two qualifers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa (maybe) for Croatia will start in about two weeks time. Two crucial home matches for Croatia and a good start is crucial.

The squad will be announced tomorrow and already today we were hit with the news that Kranjcar will be out for 2-3 months, meaning we will most likely see Rakitic start these two matches.

Kazakhstan have already started their World Cup campaign and did it with a 3:0 win over Andorra so they top the group for now. England meanwhile have a new manager in charge but they did not look impressive in their 2:2 draw against Czech Republic, but it still certainly will not be easy against them

For me, the first three matches are very important (these two added with the Ukraine match in October). The group is tricky, but if Croatia can play they way they can, it is certainly winable

 

[MaidenMadness]

poll added

 

[MaidenMadness]

there is no doubt we can win both games. we have the quality to do so. i agree with hs start is extremely important. there is a difference from the situation when you establish yourselves as a force in the group and a situation where you are chasing others.

problem with these game is that if our players minds will be on england we might have a hard time against kazakhs. sure we had similar situation last qualis with andorra game just days before england game but as the first game of this group shows, kazakhstan is a much better team than andorra. our players will need to forget about england until the kazakhstan game is over which surely won't be an easy task considering that the media and fans will be focused on england and all talk will be about england and the chance to beat them again.

kranjcar's loss is a big blow cause despite all criticisms thrown at his expense he still is a good football who can relay a great pass. rakitic however has more than enough quality to replace him. eduardo who was key to our wins over england also won't be here but if we haven't learned to get on without him in 8 months we won't learn in 2 days either.

 

[baraba]

I am hoping for 2 wins and I chose it in the poll but I have a feeling that it will be a 0-0 with lots of missed chances against Ingerlund.

 

[HajdukSplit]

I'm tempted to say six, but that would be too positive....

Too early to comment on the England game, but points are needed, even a draw wouldn't be terrible. But for some reason I don't see England dropping as many points as in the last qualifiers, only places where I see it is Zagreb, away to Ukraine and maybe home to Croatia again. But again you never know, very few thought Macedonia would take a point in England

 

[Ćevapčići kid]

i think we will beat kazaks but draw to England 0-0.

 

[Blaz]

We will beat both, we must beat both. This qualification is different to the last one, as only one goes automatically through. England have showed fúćk all with there with manager Capello. Playing both matches at home, we will win. Up front we have a big problem. Petric is in shit form, while Olic is Olic. Maybe Klasa can step it up...

 

[CroatTommy]

6 points and nothing less. It's not going to be easy, but we have to get these maximum points to get the qualifications underway in the right direction. U BOJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZA DOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HajdukSplit]

here is the squad, no drastic changes but Mandzukic is in the team

Vratari: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak M., Rus), Vedran Runje (Lens, Fra)

Braniči: Robert Kovač (Borussia D., Nje), Josip Šimunić (Hertha, Nje), Dario Šimić (Monaco, Fra), Ivica Križanac (Zenit, Rus), Vedran Ćorluka (Manchester City, Eng), Hrvoje Vejić (Tom, Rus), Dario Knežević (Juventus, Ita), Danijel Pranjić (Heerenveen, Niz).

Vezni red: Niko Kovač (Salzburg, Aut), Luka Modrić (Tottenham, Eng), Ivan Rakitić (Schalke, Nje), Darijo Srna (Šahtar, Ukr), Ognjen Vukojević (Dynamo K., Ukr), Nikola Pokrivač (Monaco, Fra), Jerko Leko (Monaco, Fra).

Napad: Ivica Olić (HSV, Nje), Mladen Petrić (HSV, Nje), Ivan Klasnić (Nantes, Fra), Nikola Kalinić (Hajduk), Mario Mandžukić (Dinamo).

Also, Danijel Subasic has been called up as a reserve

 

[IVO]

What do you guys think about moving Corluka to LB? I think it's a better option than Pranjic who can move up to the middle, especially now that Kranjcar is out. That of course would mean Srna moves to RB but that isn't likely.

I was happy with a quarter final finish considering our recent history, but at the end of the day our formula didn't work. We lost to a team that we're better than and they were evened weakened with injuries. This team has a lot to learn and we need leaders to step up. Not that I want to rehash this issue, but for all the talk of Niko's leadership, when we needed it the most it wasn't there.

 

[PanaSlaveBelupo]

Is anyone going to the England match?

 

[HajdukSplit]

Gerrard could be out for England, he has an injury and will miss about two weeks

 

[Sulla]

According to the Guardian, it's confirmed. Gerrard out for the Croatia game. A question mark also hangs over Hargreaves.

Also came across the following article re the weight of expectation on Capello's shoulders coming into the game.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/24/englandfootballteam

 

[Blast]

I dont know what to think, I will just hope for all 6.

Yes I will be going to the England match!!

 

[Ćevapčići kid]

What do you guys think about moving Corluka to LB? I think it's a better option than Pranjic who can move up to the middle, especially now that Kranjcar is out. That of course would mean Srna moves to RB but that isn't likely.

I was happy with a quarter final finish considering our recent history, but at the end of the day our formula didn't work. We lost to a team that we're better than and they were evened weakened with injuries. This team has a lot to learn and we need leaders to step up. Not that I want to rehash this issue, but for all the talk of Niko's leadership, when we needed it the most it wasn't there.

i really like Pranjic at LB...if anything id move Carli to CB with Simunic Srna and Pranjic RB and LB respectively...somethign like this is what id go with against the poms...

------------------------Pletikosa--------------------------

Srna---------Corluka----------------Simunic---------Pranjic

------------------------Vukojevic-------------------------

---------Leko------------Modric----------Raketa

---------------Klasnic---------------Olic


if we had Kranky i would swapped Leko for raketa and put Niko on the left

 

[Blast]

Or this - but we are dreaming if we think that Srna is going to RB.

------------------------Runje--------------------------

Srna---------Corluka----------------R. Kovač---------Simunic

------------------------Niko Kovač-------------------------

---------Raketa------------Modric----------Pranjic

---------------Petrić---------------Olic

 

[Ćevapčići kid]

ok coupla things...

why runje??

Simunic offers nothing down the left he will be there only for defense...id rather have a wide option on the wings in Pranjic, if we play Simunic there and Pranjic up higher i believe we lose alot of cutting in from someone like Raketa or Kranjcar. Pranjic can play the LWB and Raketa there to do the damage cutting into the midfield...

I know its sad that Srna isnt going be RB, very sad...

And i dont see what petric has done to deserve a start....

 

[Blast]

ok coupla things...

why runje??

Simunic offers nothing down the left he will be there only for defense...id rather have a wide option on the wings in Pranjic, if we play Simunic there and Pranjic up higher i believe we lose alot of cutting in from someone like Raketa or Kranjcar. Pranjic can play the LWB and Raketa there to do the damage cutting into the midfield...

I know its sad that Srna isnt going be RB, very sad...

And i dont see what petric has done to deserve a start....

Runje because he looked really composed against Slovenia and I beleive he is a better overall keeper than Pleta is (But not ba a lot so its not a biggie)

My logic behing Simunić at LB is that Pranjić will be plaing the position he plays at his club and without Kranjčar we will need a little bit of attacking power thru him. If Kranjcar was there I would be going with Pranjić at LB but this way Šimunić can provide the defence on the LB and pranjić is free to make runs down the flank.

Srna - Yeah, but the good news is that they showed Bilić watching the game vs Dinamo so maybe he saw that Srna is able to be dangerous even from LB.

Petrić over Klasnić - Also not by much but I like him better as a player as he is a harder weorker than Klasna is and a more balanced player.

 

[Ćevapčići kid]

When was the last time Petric scored a goal? i agree, he is a more rounded player...but thats been the NT's biggest downfall in the past...going on reputation rather then form...and Klasnic warrants a start over Petric going on form...

Pranjic will still be attacking from LB...whereas Simunic isnt going past the halfway line...and this i dont agree with. We are a better team then England. Lets play like it.

 

[Blast]

Granted that Klasna has scored more goals recently than petrić has but loking at petrićes contribution to our team overall he has the edge on Klasna. You are talking about form and there have only been 2 games played in some leagues, we havent the faintest about their form currently but petrić had a good game against the Slovenians comining nicely with Olić and Raketa!

Yeah Pranjić and Kranjčar compliment eachoter on the left. Without Kranjčar we need a RM who can also attack therefore Rakitić and a RB who can attack and that is Srna. We havent a player for the LM position apart from Pranjić therefore we put him there and put the best LB we have after him behind to give him more freedom going forward. We dont lose anything this way.