Croatia see Viduka as chief Australia threat

BAD BRUECKENAU, Germany, June 20 (Reuters) Croatia have picked out Australian striker Mark Viduka as the main threat to their World Cup hopes and will man-mark him during their group F decider on Thursday.

''Their greatest danger is that they play as a team and that they have Mark Viduka,'' Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar, who had Viduka under his charge at Dinamo Zagreb, told a news conference today.

''We will have a man on him the whole time. Who that is you will know tomorrow,'' added the coach ahead of a final group match that his side have to win.

Australian captain Viduka has scored only six goals in 35 games for his country, but has proved his worth as a target man who feeds other players.

Viduka's friend Stjepan Tomas, who will replace suspended Robert Kovac for Croatia, could be the man chosen to mark the Australian for whom he had great praise.

''He is one of the best strikers I have ever had to defend against,'' he said. ''We are good friends. It's a great opportunity to be playing against him.'' Defender Josip Simunic, who was born in Australia but chose to play for Croatia, his side preferred to focus on their own game and continue creating chances, even if they have yet to score in the tournament.

He nevertheless recognised that Viduka and winger Harry Kewell would pose considerable problems.

''Maybe he and Viduka are half of the team. I would prefer not to face him,'' he said.

Kewell's place had been in doubt, but he was cleared today to play the final group game after being reported for confronting a referee in Australia's 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

Croatia had been favourites to qualify from group F behind champions Brazil before the matches started, but now need to beat Australia to have a chance of advancing. For Australia, who beat Japan 3-1 in their first match, a draw could be sufficient.

Japan play champions Brazil in their last game knowing even a win might not take them to the last 16.

''It's pretty even,'' said Simunic. ''But because they only need a draw, I would say they are favourites.'' Both he and coach Kranjcar believe it would be too dangerous for Australia simply to seek one point and believed Croatia could get the win to put them in the last 16.

''We have better quality players E In key qualifying games against Sweden and Bulgaria we also played very well,'' Kranjcar said.

Croatia, who reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1998, failed to make it through the group phase four years ago or at the European championships in 2004.

''It means a lot to me. It's a third big tournament, but I've never been beyond the first round,'' Simunic said.

REUTERS AY PM2002