23 June,2014 08:09 AM IST | | AFP
Niko Kovac says his Croatia side are facing their own World Cup 'final' against Mexico today with only a win guaranteeing them a place in the last 16
Niko Kovac. Pic/AFP
Recife: Niko Kovac says his Croatia side are facing their own World Cup 'final' against Mexico today with only a win guaranteeing them a place in the last 16.
Niko Kovac. Pic/AFP
Croatia bounced back from their opening 1-3 defeat to Brazil in Group A with a 4-0 demolition of Cameroon to keep their knock-out dreams alive. Striker Mario Mandzukic scored twice as Croatia sent Cameroon crashing out of the tournament in disarray.
Wolfsburg pair Ivica Olic and Ivan Perisic also got on the scoresheet, but Croatia still remain third in the table behind leaders Brazil and Mexico.
A draw against Croatia is enough to put Mexico through after their goalless draw with Brazil and 1-0 win over Cameroon. "The match against Mexico is like a final.
They are strong, but so are we. Their players are very patriotic, just like us. They are strong going forward, but have a weaknesses in defence," Kovac told Croatian broadcaster HTV.
