Kranjcar not worried by Japan's warm-up success

ZAGREB, Jun 1: Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar praised World Cup rivals Japan today after they held hosts Germany 2-2 in a warm-up game.

He was confident, however, that his side would beat them in the group stage of the tournament proper and progess to the knockout stage alongside Brazil.

''I saw the friendly and I must say we have to be cautious ahead of the game with Japan. I still believe it will be the decisive match for us in the group,'' Kranjcar told the Vecernji List daily.

Croatia open their campaign in Group F against holders Brazil in Berlin on June 13. They face Japan on June 18 in Nuremberg and Australia on June 22 in Stuttgart.

Croatia play two more warm-up games, against Poland in Wolfsburg, Germany, on June 3 and Spain in Geneva on June 7.

Reuters