Weight of expectation no burden, says Kranjcar

Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar says he feels no pressure to beat Sweden in their World Cup qualifier today but media and FA officials have made it clear they expect a victory after last month's slip-up against Malta.

With two games remaining, Croatia are one point behind Group Eight leaders Sweden after managing only a 1-1 draw away in Malta.

Victory for Croatia would put them back in command of the group and leave them needing only a draw in Hungary next week to finish top.

A draw or even defeat would still leave them with a fighting chance of snatching one of the two automatic qualification slots available to the two best runners up.

FA president Vlatko Markovic paid a brief visit to the training camp to tell the players that "nine million Croats at home and abroad expect you to be at World Cup finals".

Kranjcar said his team were hardly short of motivation.

"I am slightly worried with the intensity they are showing in training. We are doing too well, I'd rather we did so against Sweden," he told sports gazette Sportske Novosti.

Kranjcar believes his side have enough quality to defeat injury-hit Sweden. "I do not care who will play. I actually want Sweden to send its best team.

"I am sure my players will be better. Each one is highly motivated," he has said several times this week.

Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic hurt his knee in Juventus's victory over Inter on Sunday while Barcelona's Henrik Larsson limped out of Sweden's training session in Vienna on Wednesday and is still doubtful, although team doctor Magnus Forssblad has not ruled him out.

Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is struggling with an Achilles tendon injury.

Kranjcar's only selection problem is who to partner Dado Prso up front, with Club Bruges striker Bosko Balaban, who scored twice against Iceland last month, favourite to start.