Two New Names To Play For Croatia Against Ukraine

Two new names were included on the list of Croatian players against Ukraine: Ilicevic and Drpic.

The Croatian line-up for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine was presented at a press conference. The match is scheduled for October 11 in Kharkiv.

For the duel against Schevchenko, Tymoshchuk and the team, Croatian manager Slaven Bilic decided to call Ivo Ilicevic and Dino Drpic instead of Dario Simic and Robert Kovac.

- A point in Ukraine would satisfy us because we would thus take away two points to the competitor. It would be easier to go on with six points, but this does not change the situation. We are still on a good path, even though we have suffered a defeat – said the Croatian manager.

Bilic has summoned 23 players for the match, including 3 goalkeepers. For various reasons, the line-up does not include Eduardo da Silva, Niko Kranjcar, Robert Kovac or Dario Simic.

- We know what we are facing and we have studied the Ukrainians well. It will be a difficult away match which gained significance as we were defeated by England. That was unexpected, but not so critical. It will be tough, we know that, but we can win – Bilic said.

The Croatian manager looked back on new names on the team list. For the first time, Ivo Ilicevic was capped, while Dino Drpic and Danijel Subasic earned their invitations.

- Drpic has been in the quad personnel for a long time and he is a part of the team. His invitation is linked with Robert Kovac`s ban, while Ilicevic drew attention to himself with his play in the juniors – Bilic said.