Kranjcar not worried by Japan's warm-up success

Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar praised World Cup rivals Japan 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 progress to the knockout stage...

Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar praised World Cup rivals Japan 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 progress 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, today, and Spain in Geneva on Wednesday.

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