World Cup 2018: Croatia will be ready for England semi-final - Zlatko Dalic
- Published
World Cup 2018: Croatia beat Russia on penalties to set up semi-final against England
2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final: Croatia v England |
|---|
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow Date: Wednesday 11 July, 19:00 BST |
Coverage: Full radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and text commentary online and in BBC Sport app |
Croatia will have enough energy to face England in the World Cup semi-final despite back-to-back games going to extra time and penalties, boss Zlatko Dalic says.
Having edged past Denmark on penalties in the last 16, Croatia overcame hosts Russia in another dramatic shootout.
They return to action on Wednesday when they meet England (19:00 BST) in Moscow for a place in the final on 15 July.
"Of course there is some power left for the English," said Dalic.
While England have played 480 minutes and been involved in one penalty shootout in Russia, Croatia have played 30 minutes more and their past two games have gone to penalties.
World Cup 2018: Watch Croatia's penalty shootout victory over Russia in full
Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic needed lengthy treatment towards the end of normal time against Russia for a suspected hamstring problem but was able to continue.
"This was not a beautiful game, it was a fight, a battle for the semi-final," added Dalic, who broke down in tears after Croatia confirmed a first World Cup semi-final appearance since 1998. "We were lucky."
Looking ahead to the England match, the coach said: "We do not want to stop, we will try to play our best game.
"We have two matches to play and we are very motivated.
"We're giving our all. It will be a battle again but I trust us, I have belief in us."
Dalic also explained why he had been overcome with emotion after Ivan Rakitic sent Croatia through.
"I was concentrated throughout the match but after Rakitic's penalty, it came bursting out of me," he said.
Dalic (wearing a white shirt) breaks down in tears after his side reach the World Cup semi-final
"I felt really relieved. We made ourselves happy but we also made everybody back home in Croatia happy.
"Those emotions just burst out of me. I don't cry often but now I have a good cause. Croatia are in the semi-finals. This is a great success and a great result."