If you wish to listen, go HERE under HR2.

A text play by play can be seen HERE.

Both brodcasts are in Croatian.

Thae starting line up will be the same as for the Austria game: Pletikosa – Tomas, Robert Kovač, Šimić – Srna, Niko Kovač, Tudor, Babić – Kranjčar – Pršo, Klasnić….. and yes, Pletikosa will start in net even after walking the ball through his own door in the last friendly.

Oh, and for those interested in placing a little bet on the game, Marco’s prediction is 3:0 Croatia.

Croatia’s Geelong-raised goalkeeper, who studied at the Australian Institute for Sport and plays for Austria Vienna, has been charged by Austrian authorities after a foul on an opponent last year.
In a case that could have massive implications for the game, Didulica, 28, has been indicted for “inflicting serious bodily injuries by extreme negligence” after a high challenge on Rapid Vienna’s Axel Lawaree during an Austrian league game in May last year.”

This does not look too good if he gets sentenced…well at least for his playing career. To me this does not make any sense. Public authorities should stay away from the playing field. If this goes through there will be other law suits to follow as well.

You can see the whole article by clicking here

That friendly completes our match schedule prior to the Worl Cup. First we play Austria on May 23rd, and then this game against Iran five days later. We will also clash with Poland on April 2nd, and the final match before the Big Cup will be on April 7th in Geneva against Spain.

Cico still did not announce his final squad for the Big Cup. After these test matches we should have a better idea who will be playing for us this summer.

Darijo Srna had the strongest opinion stating, “What does he think Croatian National Team is, Caritas?” He also questioned his motives of coming to play for Croatia. Is he only doing it because Argentines do not want him anymore, or does he truly want to play for his surrogate motherland?

Dado Prso was less harsh than Srna. If believes that if he is really good that he should come to play, but he also states that only players that fought their place in the Croatian Nats should play.

Tomislav Butina made the only positive comment stating that it would be great to have Bilos on the team. He said that Croatia does not have 500 players to choose from, so any young talent that is good and willing to fight for Croatia should be allowed to play.

I tend to agree with Butina. Yes, Bilos is a natural Argentinian, but hey why the hell not…We do not have a lot of players to choose from so players like Bilos are more than welcome to play on our team. What do you think?

In the past Bilos has denied HNS’s (Croatian FA) calls and requests to come and play for Croatia. He said that he wanted to play for his native Argentinean National Team. Even though he was on the list to be included on the Argentine team, he has not been called up yet. However, after the game in Basel against Argentina he has changed his mind.

Zlatko Kranjcar, Cico, is very excited about this prospect. However, it is highly unlikely that Bilos, if he decides to take an offer, will be included on the World Cup squad. Cico is very reluctant to change the team that is playing so well, but hey you never know what might happen from now until this summer.

Bilos would be a great addition to the squad. I will keep you posted on the latest developments.

The game started with 3 fast goal within first 6 minutes (Klasnić, 3′; Tevez, 4′, Messi 6′). 2-1 for Argentina. After that Argentina takes over and plays a better half without allowing Croatia much room to move around at all. However, they were not able to score again in the first half.

Second half begins with Croatia not allowing Argentines to barely cross the half line. In 52nd minute the most beautiful play of the match; Dado Prso together with Niko Kovac passes four defenders and sends a beautiful cross to Darijo Srna’s awesome header. Game tied at 2-2.

In the 80th minute Croatia becomes more relaxed and its allowing Argentines more room to play. However, in the stoppage time (92nd minute) after beautiful corner by Ivan Leko, Dario Simic scores the winning goal. 3-2 Croatia. One must notice that this was Dario’s 3rd goal in 76 caps…damn….

I am very impressed, and cannot wait for the next friendly. Bring it on…..

Hrvatska – Argentina 3:2
1:0 – Klasnić (3.)
1:1 – Tevez (4.)
1:2 – Messi (6.)
2:2 – Srna (52.)
3:2 – Šimić (90.+2)

First to show up were Butina, Didulica, Srna, Pršo, Klasnić, Olić i Babić, a little bit later Hajduk’s players Kranjčar and Pletikosa, members of Hertha Niko Kovač and Josip Šimunić, and then Dinamo’s Eduardo, Buljat, Modrić i Bošnjak. Later on today ranks will join Robert Kovač, Dario Šimić and Ivan Leko, and Mladen Petric will join the team in Basel.

Zlatko Kranjcar said that he is very happy that Argentina is putting some meaning to this game. This should make this match that much more interesting, since both teams will come out fighting. Lionell Messi, FC Barcelona, and Argentine National Team player, earlier today said that he is also very excited to play against Croatia in two days.

Team will have two training sessions today, at 10:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Get ready because in two days we will begin main preparations for our long trip to the World Cup Trophy.

Date and Place of Birth: 14.10.1977., Geelong (AUS)
Club: FK Austria Memphis Magna Wien (AUT)
Position: Goalkeeper
Earlier Clubs: Melbourne Knights (AUS), Ajax Amsterdam (NED)

Possible replacement for injured Butina. Young goalkeeper that still needs to prove himself on the world stage.

Date and Place of Birth: 30.03.1974., Zagreb (CRO)
Club: Club Brugge (BEL)
Position: Goalkeeper
Earlier Clubs: NK Samobor (CRO), NK Slaven Belupo Koprivnica (CRO), NK Karlovac (CRO), NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
First Appearance: QC for WC 2002 San Marino – Hrvatska, 05.09.2001.
Big Tournaments: WC 2002 – Japan, Euro 2004

His place on this year World Cup team might be compromised since he suffered an injury few weeks ago. That might not be as bad since it will leave the door open for a young, very good keeper Pletikosa.