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ENGLAND v CROATIA - PORTSMOUTH STRIKER HOPES TO BE PARTY-POOPER
Portsmouth playmaker Niko Kranjcar has warned England that Croatia are looking to spoil their qualification party on Wednesday.
Despite losing to Macedonia at the weekend, Israel's defeat of Russia meant Croatia qualified for Euro 2008.
England now only need a point against Croatia to beat Russia to the final qualifying spot from Group E, whilst victory will give Steve McClaren's side top spot.
However, Kranjcar insists Croatia are looking for nothing less than a victory.
"We are going to Wembley to prove how good we are. That is what we want to do there," said the Pompey midfielder.
"Wembley will suit us, we are much more comfortable when we have the ball and we will want to have a lot of possession.
"It will suit the way we play and we want to send a message to the rest of Europe."
Kranjcar feels Croatia can take inspiration from Israel's victory at the weekend.
"We can get even more respect going into the finals if we be beat England again, and after the way Israel beat Russia we have to give our maximum too even though we have already qualified," he said.
"They played with their hearts even though it meant nothing to them, we have the same obligation.
"The whole qualifying tournament has proved that we have the quality to go to the finals and do well.
"We expected to go through it all unbeaten. Unfortunately on a very muddy pitch [in Macedonia] we couldn't do that.
"But it's always a great opportunity to play against a great nation like England and it allows us to prove what we can do in these finals; to show the whole world they can count on us there because we really believe we can do something."
A draw will suffice for England - but Kranjcar cannot see it ending all-square.
"I can't see this being a draw. English players can't play for a draw," he said.
"They showed that in Russia, they had a 1-0 lead and they were still going for a second goal.
"I have been surprised by their results as they have such a good squad. They prove it week-in week-out in the Premier League and Champions League.
"If we do lose 2-0 we will still qualify, but we will try to play our game - play the way we did when we beat England in Zagreb."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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