BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.

Zlatko Dalic, the Coach of Nigeria’s first Russia 2018 opponents, Croatia, has enjoined his players to forget the old glory and face the present reality as the Eastern European side attempts to chart new course in next month’s World Cup.

Croatia was an instant hit in the country’s debut appearance at the World Cup 20 years ago in France. Having attained self-rule in 1990 from the former Yugoslavia, the country’s entry for USA ’94 was turned down.

But four years later, it was like a fairy tale as big teams crumbled miserably under the rampaging debutants.

Croatia beat Germany 3-0 before seeing off The Netherlands in third-place playoff to emerge the best mover ever in the 25 year history of FIFA ranking. On admission to FIFA, Croatia ranked 125^th in the world. But following impressive outing at France ’98, the team rose astronomically to the third place, making it the most volatile team in FIFA ranking history.

But that is where the fairy tale ended. In subsequent World Cup finals, Croatia had been a shadow of the France ’98 squad.

The team got eliminated in the first round at 2002, 2006 and 2014 and failed to qualify for the 2010 edition in South Africa.

That was what Dalic, the coach harped on when he was interviewed on Dnevnik Nova TV, a Croatian station. He believes the Croatian side had been living off France ’98 feat for too long.

“I have to say what is good and what is not,” Dalic told Dnevnik Nova TV. “Croatia haven’t done well in a World Cup since France 1998, and going on our quality, we should have.

“We have a brilliant generation of players who, like me, have to know that we can’t live on past glory. Ahead of us is the World Cup, and we have to be at our best there”.

But he is excited that he has three quality players in the UEFA Champions League final – Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren and Real Madrid pair Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic.

“I’m very proud that Croatia has three players in the Champions League final, which proves our quality,” said the 51-year-old. “They won’t be tired and will come to Russia full of confidence and motivation.”

Dalic also has the likes of Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic (both Inter Milan), Nikola Kalinic (AC Milan) and Mario Mandzukic (Juventus) at his disposal, and he intends to maintain his faith in them rather than gamble on youngsters at Russia 2018.

“This week we will define a larger squad, and it will comprise players who have spent the last two-three years in the national team,” said the former midfielder. “There will be no big surprises.

“We have great players and a great generation, and we have to believe in this generation at the World Cup. They got us there and we should give them a chance.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a group of youngsters who are the future of Croatian football. But we will introduce them in the [UEFA] Nations League in the autumn to give them the chance to show their quality.

“It will be best for [Borno] Sosa, [Filip] Benkovic, [Duje] Caleta-Car, [Nikola] Vlasic, [Ante] Rebic to enter a new cycle for the EURO 2020 qualifiers and the Nations League.”

Dalic believes that starting the World Cup with a tough opponent like Nigeria portends good for his team. “I’ve always said I wanted tough matches and tough opponents, and we can only progress as a team by playing against top sides and [learning from] our mistakes,” said Dalic. “We don’t need weaker opponents. Perhaps it’s risky of me to feel this way, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He however forgot that Croatia had even tougher opponent in Brazil at the opening match four years ago and yet the team could not make it beyond the group stage.