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Confident Cacic belives Croatia's success

Xinhua, September 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

New Croatian national head coach Ante Cacic showed strong self-confidence at his first press conference on Tuesday in Zagreb and sent a message to public and Croatian supporters that he will lead the national team to success.

His hands were a little bit shaky but his voice was strong as the 61-year-old was answering questions, defending decision of Croatian Football Federation bosses to give him the most important position of his career.

"I am confident that I can do this job well. I believe in our success because Croatia has very talented and capable players. If I wouldn't believe in our success I wouldn't take this job," Cacic said.

"I've been doubted before, when I was taking over position in Dinamo Zagreb, so I am used to that. I've worked with nine players from this national team. I am not an alien. Those who doubt me don't know me. I believe in my work ethic, responsibility and honesty. That's what kept me all this years. I will prove myself as Croatian head coach, as I've done everywhere I worked before," added Cacic.

He defended his decision to include Josip Joe Simunic as one of his assistants, saying that the former Croatian national player with 105 caps deserves a second chance after he was banned for ten matches by FIFA in 2013 for his Nazi chant outburst after playoff match when Croatia beat Iceland and qualified for 2014 World Cup.

"I know him as a honest and professional person who love his country. He will help the team because he has a strong positive image in public and in the locker room. He served his punishment and I hope that this will be a chance for his rehabilitation."

Cacic will have his first test as national coach on October 10 in the EURO 2016 qualifying match against Bulgaria in Zagreb against Malta three days later. Croatia need to win both matches for a chance to gain direct qualification for EURO 2016 in France.

As he didn't have a lot of time since his appointment he didn't do big changes to the squad that Niko Kovac led through this qualifying campaign. He made only three changes on the 23-men team that Kovac nominated for the last two matches. Cacic left out PAOK left back Marin Leovac, Fiorentina forward Ante Rebic and Hajduk Split midfielder Mijo Caktas and invited back Malaga striker Duje Cop and Dinamo Zagreb left back Josip Pivaric.

Cacic said that Mario Mandzukic is doubtful because of an injury and Ivica Olic is suspended for the first match because of accumulated yellow cards.

For remaining two qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Malta Ante Cacic nominated following 23-men team:

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk Split), Ivan Vargic (Rijeka)

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Sakhtar Donetsk), Sime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), Marko Leskovic (Rijeka), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Dinamo Kiyv), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos), Josip Pivaric (Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic (both Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Ivan Rakitic (FC Barcelona), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan)

Forwards: Nikola Kalinic (Fiorentina), Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Olic (HSV), Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Andrej Kramaric (Leicester City), Duje Cop (Malaga). Endit