Croatia’s coach, while praising their Japanese rivals, still feels that they will win against Japan.

He was confident, however, that his side would beat the Asian outfit in the group stage of the tournament proper and progess to the knockout stage alongside Brazil.

“I saw the friendly and I must say we have to be cautious ahead of the game with Japan. I still believe it will be the decisive match for us in the group,” Kranjcar told the Vecernji List daily.

Croatia open their campaign in Group F against holders Brazil in Berlin on 13 June. They face Japan on June 18 in Nuremberg and Australia on 22 June in Stuttgart.

Croatia play two more warm-up games, against Poland in Wolfsburg, Germany, on 3 June 3 and Spain in Geneva on 7 June.

Source: WCoffsite