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All-Balkan battle
Romania, Croatia both confident they'll advance
Posted: Monday June 29, 1998 03:51 PM
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The Romanians will be counting heavily on Gheorghe Hagi (right) (AP) |
BORDEAUX, France (AP) --
In an encounter that highlights regional rivalry and stature, Romania clashes
with debutant Croatia on
Tuesday for a spot in the quarterfinals and the sparks are already flying.
"The Croatian team hasn't shown its true face yet. I say: Watch out,
Romania," a cocky Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic said.
His Romanian counterpart, Anghel Iordanescu, sounded more diplomatic, if
equally confident.
"Croatia is the team we wanted to face. We are familiar with their
technical style. They are from the same region. If things go the normal
way, we could meet Germany in the
quarterfinals."
Croatia, a World Cup newcomer, finished second in Group H after beating Jamaica 3-1 and
Japan 1-0 and
losing to Argentina
1-0.
Romania, which made the quarterfinals in 1994 where it was eliminated by
Sweden after a penalty shootout, clinched Group G with a near-perfect
record: victories over Colombia 1-0
and England
2-1 and a 1-1 tie with Tunisia.
Pep talk aside, the two squads showed more respect for each other.
"We know in our minds that we have to play better against Romania,"
Croatian defender Slaven Bilic of Everton said after the match with
Argentina.
And Iordanescu found words of praise for the Croats. "Through its
offensive force, ability and individual value of its players, Croatia is a
strong contender which can score against any teams. They're very
competitive," the Romanian coach said.
Iordanescu's plan to rest some of his best players for the Croatia game
almost backfired when Tunisia was leading Romania 1-0 after the first half.
Only after standout strikers Ilie Adrian of Valencia and Viorel Moldovan of
Coventry were sent to the pitch after the break did Romania bring more bite
in its offense and tallied the equalizer.
At their one-hour team practice Sunday, the Romanians, who dyed their hair
yellow for clinching their group, exercised passing and goal shooting. They
skipped another scheduled practice on Saturday to recuperate, team
officials said.
Iordanescu said all the regulars were fit, with the exception of Dan
Petrescu of Chelsea, a pillar of defense who complained of pain in his
right knee after the game with Tunisia. Petrescu, who scored the winner
against England, skipped the practice and did some running and stretching
exercises.
Iordanescu would not say if Petrescu, who had surgery on his right knee
several years ago, would make the team on Tuesday.
"We're optimistic and we hope we will play in the quarterfinals," he said.
Croatia is expected to field its strongest starting lineup, no major
injuries having been reported. But the Croats will miss key central
defender Zvonimir Soldo of VfB Stuttgart, who was suspended after getting
his second yellow card of the tournament in the game against Argentina.
Blazevic was expected to give Soldo's spot to Igor Stimac of Derby County,
another veteran defender, but left the final lineup open until Tuesday.
"Missing Soldo will be a handicap, but it's not such a problem. Stimac
will replace him well," Bilic said.
In a bid to give their attack more punch, the Croats may throw a fresh
forward into their game against Romania.
Blazevic said Sunday he had not ruled out starting with Valencia's Goran
Vlaovic, a substitute who had Croatia's closest shot -- a long drive that
hit the post -- in Friday's 1-0 loss to Argentina.
The Croatian coach also told reporters Monday that he plans to start the
game without midfielder Robert Proinecki who has been in poor shape
recently. He will be replaced by Krunoslav Jurcic who plays for Croatia
Zagreb in the domestic league.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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