World Cup

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World Cup | Third-Place Playoff

Dec 17, 2022 at 3pm UK

Khalifa International Stadium

Croatia
2 - 1
Morocco

Gvardiol (7'), Orsic (42')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Dari (9')
Ounahi (69'), Amallah (84')

Zlatko Dalic: World Cup third-place playoff remains important for Croatia'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 16 December 2022

Dalic: 'Third-place playoff remains important for Croatia'

Zlatko Dalic insists that the World Cup third-place playoff versus Morocco remains important for Croatia, 24 years on from participating in their first bronze-medal tie.

Zlatko Dalic has called on his Croatia side to give one final push to earn third place in the World Cup with victory over Morocco.

On the back of finishing as runners-up four years ago, Croatia had been bidding to become just the sixth team to reach consecutive finals when they played Argentina on Tuesday.

However, the Checkered Ones were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat, leaving the European nation to try to defeat Morocco at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

With Croatia having gone a step further in Russia in 2018, Dalic has acknowledged that the game does not have the same kind of significance as it did when the country marked their debut appearance in 1998 with third spot.

Nevertheless, Dalic wants his players to 'do their nation proud' one more time in Qatar, bidding for a third top-three finish in just six attempts.

Croatia players celebrate qualifying for the quarter-finals of the World Cup on December 5, 2022 © Reuters

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Dalic said: "In 1998 it was the first medal for Croatia, it was a major thing that was achieved. It was recognition considering we'd only just achieved our independence. It was the beginning of a shiny period of football achievements.

"It is a different thing now. We've won a silver medal and we've done more. This World Cup means a lot and we want our people to be proud of us. 1998 was more important because it was our first but God willing he will achieve the same tomorrow and I hope to repeat the achievements that we achieved four years ago. We are a small country but we achieve a lot."

While Dalic has regularly tinkered with his starting lineup during the tournament, as many as nine players have been ever-presents in the team.

However, that may change on Saturday with Dalic suggesting that Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol and Marcelo Brozovic are all doubtful for the game.

Croatia's Josko Gvardiol pictured at the World Cup on December 9, 2022 © Reuters

Dalic added: "It's the seventh match in less than a month. We're tired, we're exhausted and drained. We have consequences with injuries - Gvardiol, Juranovic, Brozovic - so we'll see what happens during the day. Something always happens during the day, so we'll be cautious.

"I ask the players to be fair to me and the national team and to report injuries and their physical status. Everybody wants to play and be part of this match but we'll have to consider very carefully as we don't want a situation where players are not 100% fit who then may have to be substituted.

"This would be very difficult. If somebody is not 100% fit. I know it's difficult to admit to oneself, we'll talk about it today."

Opposite number Walid Regragui has revealed that he has mixed emotions about participating in the third-placed playoff, yet wants his side to end a "priceless" World Cup on a high note.