Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalic says his side has already “managed to stop Messi” and so can cope with England’s Harry Kane in tomorrow’s FIFA World Cup semifinal.
England and Croatia meet in Moscow to compete for a place in the final.
Dalic identified top‑scorer Kane and Raheem Sterling as threats in a England team with "no glaring weaknesses, but says they believe in their strengths and don't fear England.
He says Kane who has scored six goals so far is top scorer and is not easy to stop, but they have top centre‑backs as they managed to stop Messi and hopefully they can stop Kane.
Having not scored in an England shirt for nearly three years, Manchester City forward Sterling has been criticised by some supporters and pundits.
However, ex‑England and Manchester United pair David Beckham and Gary Neville have voiced their support for the 23‑year‑old and Dalic also rates him highly.
Croatia's shoot‑out victory over Russia in the quarters was their second straight win on penalties at the FIFA World Cup, after they beat Denmark in the same fashion in their last‑16 tie.
Meanwhile, a batch of £5 notes engraved with England football captain Harry Kane will be distributed should the squad beat Croatia to reach the FIFA World Cup final.
Micro‑engraver Graham Short said he has been working to etch Kane's portrait on the "clear section" of 11 £5 notes.
Short, of Birmingham, said it takes him about six days to etch each note.
Short says if England beat Croatia, he would travel round the country spending the notes which includes going to Norwich and the Midlands, Sheffield, Manchester and after awhile he will end up in north Yorkshire.
The second semifinal between England and Croatia will start at 6am tomorrow.
Meanwhile, France beat Belgium 1-0 this morning to book their spot in the FIFA World Cup final which will be played at 3am next Monday.
[Source: BBC]
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