FOOTBALL : Kovac to the rescue for Croatia

Former Croatia captain Niko Kovac came to his country's rescue last October, his lack of managerial experience offset by skills on the pitch to see Croatia through to the World Cup finals.

Berlin-born Kovac carved a reputation in his playing days for hard work and discipline, attributes he used to good effect to guide a struggling side past Iceland in the qualifying play-offs.

The 42-year-old inherited from previous coach Igor Stimac a Croatian side that had come under pressure for trailing a distant second behind Belgium in their qualifying group.


One point from their last four games was the spur that triggered Croatian Football federation president Davor Suker's SOS to Kovac.

His arrival was enthusiastically welcomed by players and fans alike.

Kovac, whose brother Robert was also a Croatian international, hung up his boots in 2009, having won 83 caps and scored 15 goals for his country between 1996 and 2008.

He had spells with Hertha Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Hamburg and Red Bull Salzburg.

Kovac captained his country from 2004 onwards, participating in the European Championship in Portugal that year and in Austria and Switzerland in 2008, as well as the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Having coached at Red Bull Salzburg after retiring as a player, Kovac was put in charge of Croatia's under-21 team in January 2013.

On his appointment as senior coach he said he was going to "insist on organisation and planning," explaining that he was "raised and educated to do so." "Fans will certainly not jeer my Croatia," he assured.

After missing out on the 2010 finals in South Africa, Croatia are thrust back into the thick of it with the date with Brazil in the World Cup opener in Sao Paulo on June 12.

"We are proud to take part in that match, a great atmosphere is awaiting us and we will provide our maximum to present Croatia to the world in the best of light," Kovac said.

Despite the enormity of facing the 2014 hosts and five-time champions Kovac has described the match-up as "a privilege and an honour."

And he suggested Brazil do not have all the odds stacked in their favour.

"Brazil will have a big support, not only at stadium but also from 200 million people in front of their televisions. But at the same time it is a pressure for the host which could be our advantage."