Jamaica-Croatia - M. Blazevic: "We saw four attractive goals and constructive play on both sides"

15.06.98 01h18 CET

Comments by Miroslav BLAZEVIC, coach of CROATIA:

"It was a nice game to watch. Above all, we saw four attractive goals and, what's more, constructive play on both sides. I am very pleased because I was extremely worried about JAMAICA. The reason we won this evening, in my opinion, is because we have more experience. I don't want to sound pretentious, but with all due respect to the Jamaicans, I believe that we were the better team. There is nothing harder than conceding a goal one minute before half-time. Fortunately, as I stated earlier, my team was the better of the two. In the changing rooms at half-time, I told them to push up and that they would not be allowed to come back in without three points. 

"Our next opponents, JAPAN (Saturday 20 June in NANTES) had a very good match today against ARGENTINA. When you have a team that's able to hold its own against a side like ARGENTINA, who in my book are potential winners of the competition, it's obvious what that means for the standard of their team. We have been warned; it will be a very difficult game. JAPAN represents what football needs - a surprise. They're creating their footballing tradition right now. It's also surprising that JAPAN are playing such advanced football. They are capable of springing a surprise. It will be an open game."