Croatia ready for Saturday’s decisive game against Ghana

The Croatian national team traveled to Philadelphia on Friday, where they will face Ghana in their final and decisive match of the group stage. A win would guarantee Croatia a place in the round of 16 and second place in Group "L" - possible even first place in the group should England draw or lose to last placed Panama. A draw against Ghana would also guarantee a place in the knockout phase of the competition, finishing third in the group, but definitely ahead of other third placed teams Senegal, Scotland, South Korea and Paraguay.

Speaking at a press conference prior to departing for Philadelphia defensive midfielder Nikola Moro emphasized that there is a positive mood among his teammates going into the Ghana game: “The win against Panama definitely put the wind in our sails. Now we await the game against Ghana. We have to prepare well and be at our best for that game, because they have also shown that they have their strengths. But as a team, we're in good spirits.”

For defender Joško Gvardiol, one of the key areas of concern against Ghana is the transition, noting that very dangerous on counter-attacks: “As far as Ghana is concerned, I think they are very dangerous in transition. What we gleaned from their game against England, is that they defend in a block, sometimes a low-block formation, and obviously that means that if they take the ball away from you they can be very dangerous in transition.”

Croatia and Ghana will kick-off at 5PM Eastern Standard Time at Philadelphia Stadium (also known as Lincoln Financial Field) or 11PM Central European Time.

Source: HRT