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Bilic keeps faith with Croatia regulars
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Slaven Bilic's side top qualifying Group E (¿Getty
Images)
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Slaven Bilic's side top qualifying Group E (¿Getty Images)Croatia
coach Slaven Bilic has made no surprise inclusions in his squad for the
UEFA EURO 2008T qualifier against Israel in Zagreb on 13 October.
Kovac travels
Captain Niko Kovac is included in the 23-man selection despite expecting
to be out of action for four to six weeks with a muscle injury in his
left leg. "Kovac will remain on the list as he will come and give
support to his team-mates," said Bilic. "It's well known what
he means to us, but our goal remains the same - it's victory. Israel don't
lose too many games. They lost against England because they played pretty
badly. This would be their crucial match and they have to win if they
want to stay in the running." Croatia lead Group E with 23 points
from nine games with Israel six points adrift in fourth spot.
Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (FC Spartak Moskva), Vedran Runje (RC Lens),
Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos FC).
Defenders: Dario Simic (AC Milan), Robert Kovac (BV Borussia Dortmund),
Josip Simunic (Hertha BSC Berlin), Vedran Corluka (Manchester City FC),
Dino Drpic (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Dario Kenezevic (AS Livorno Calcio).
Midfielders: Jerko Leko (AS Monaco FC), Marko Babic (Real Betis Balompie),
Darijo Srna (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Luka Modric (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Jurica
Vranjes (Werder Bremen), Danijel Pranjic (SC Heerenveen), Niko Kranjcar
(Portsmouth FC), Ognjen Vukojevic (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kovac (FC Salzburg).
Forwards: Mladen Petric (BV Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburger
SV), Bosko Balaban (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal FC),
Ivan Rakitic (FC Schalke 04).
UEFA.com,
30 September 2007
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