Croatia On the Brink of South Africa Exit

October 13, 2009

Having already a long list of injured players, Bilić has chosen to take action and dismiss two players from the squad for the upcoming game for a reason he wishes not to disclose. Josip Šimunić, who was hopeful to play, and Ivica Križanac are the two players who will not be joining the team in Astana on Wednesday. The only information that Bilić would share was his decision.

He said, “They crossed the line of rules we had set up in the beginning. I made my decision and ejected them from the team. I do not want to talk about concrete reasons, or what they did. It was nothing we could not hide, but I did not want to do so. I am sorry it happened, but my decision is the only right one.”

It’s also been reported that Anas Sharbinij and Nikica Jelavić have been issued warnings for their behavior as well. The remaining number of players in the squad from the original line up is slim.

Keeper: Vedran Runje, Danijel Subašić, Matej Delač;

Defense: Vedran Ćorluka, Robert Kovač, Dejan Lovren;

Out: Josip Šimunić (injured/ejected), Ivica Križanac (ejected), Hrvoje Vejić (injured/hopeful to play)

Midfield: Danijel Pranjić, Hrvoje Čale, Ognjen Vukojević, Nikola Pokrivač, Jerko Leko, Darijo Srna, Ivan Rakitić, Anas Sharbinij;

Out: Niko Kranjčar (injured)

Forward: Ivan Klasnić, Nikica Jelavić

Out: Eduardo da Silva (injured), Ivica Olić (injured), Mladen Petrić (injured), Mario Mandžukić (injured/ hopeful to play)

Since England failed to defeat Ukraine over the weekend, Ukraine have progressed to second in the group and Croatia now dropped to third. Now the circumstances have changed if Croatia are to still qualify. They still need a win over Kazakhstan on Wednesday and they need Andorra to win over Ukraine, or at least draw, in order to make it to the play-offs. If the results do not work to this way, then Croatia will say goodbye to South Africa 2010 and wait for Euro 2012 qualifying.

Jill Guthrie

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