Croatia add new blood for 2010 World Cup campaign

August 3, 2008

Croatia will be acquiring some new team members for the FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying Campaign and they have another surprise in store for the English. When they met in qualifying for the European Championship, they had Brazilian born Eduardo Da Silva. However, before the Euro began he suffered a horrible ankle injury during an Arsenal game and was unable to take part in the tournament.

This time when they meet in qualifying for the World Cup 2010, they will have another Latin American on their side, Dario Cvitanich from Argentina. He recently scored seven goals in ten games for Argentina. The Croatian Football Federation have had their eye on him for over a year now; when he signed on with Ajax they had their chance to sign him on the Croatia National team. He agreed to play for the country of his grandfather and has confirmed his contract with Croatia in the World Cup.

Coach Slaven Bilic has said he has reason to attend more Austrian Bundesliga games this season. They will possibly be signing on Nikica Jelavic, who Bilic coached on the U-21 league along with other members of the National team. For now Jelavic plays in Austria, but for the cup he will most likely be working with the Croatian team again.

In an exciting turn of events, captain of the National team, Niko Kovac, will not be retiring as anticipated. Before this summer’s Euro began he said he would likely be hanging up his boots when it was all over. After the last two overwhelming minutes of the quarterfinal he has been encouraged to stay on along side his brother, Robert Kovac. Though his help during qualifying could be limited, for he has injured a thigh muscle in a recent game. The CFF have not confirmed how serious the injury is, but they have said he will be out for about two week’s time.

Jill Guthrie

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