DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Luka Modric is ready for another World Cup marketing campaign and one final probability to drive Croatia to the title.The 37-year-old midfielder will lead Croatia when the staff performs its Group F opener in opposition to Morocco on Wednesday, a hurdle that the 2018 runner-up is predicted to clear earlier than going through Canada after which second-ranked Belgium and Kevin de Bruyne.4 years in the past, Modric labored tirelessly and was rewarded with the event’s finest participant award as Croatia made all of it the best way to the ultimate in Russia, the place it misplaced to France 4-2. It’s laid related expectations on a distinct, youthful Croatian squad in Qatar, which hasn’t all the time been useful, Modric stated.“No matter we’ve got been by means of on the World Cup in Russia is an unforgettable reminiscence, an indelible reminiscence,” Modric stated Tuesday. “However we have to put it to at least one aspect for now. This can be a new event and we’ve got to have a look at it that manner.”Solely 5 of the gamers who began the 2018 remaining are on this Croatia squad after coach Zlatko Dalic’s rebuild. The fixed is Modric. He’s at his fourth World Cup and nonetheless central to all the pieces Croatia does. He’s arguably extra essential for his staff’s possibilities than Lionel Messi for Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, who’re additionally chasing their first title on the again finish of glittering careers.However Messi’s expertise earlier Tuesday, when Argentina misplaced to Saudi Arabia, has bolstered how harmful it may be to look too far forward.“We’re fairly cautious and what’s occurred as we speak (Argentina’s loss) makes us much more cautious,” Dalic stated. It’ll be an early recreation in opposition to the Moroccans in Al Khor, north of Doha, the place the temperature is forecast to push 30 levels Celsius (86 levels Fahrenheit) by kickoff. That warmth shouldn’t be a problem for Croatia in opposition to the North Africans, although, because of the cooling techniques utilized at this yr’s World Cup stadiums.The local weather within the Moroccan camp has additionally cooled significantly after a heated feud between former head coach Vahid Halilhodzic and Chelsea ahead Hakim Ziyech. It noticed Ziyech exiled from the squad final yr over what Halilhodzic branded his “unacceptable” perspective.It threatened to end in Morocco being with out considered one of its finest gamers for the World Cup when it desperately wants all its overseas-based expertise. However Halilhodzic was fired regardless of qualifying Morocco for the World Cup and changed with Walid Regragui, who instantly recalled Ziyech.Ziyech scored an astonishing aim from his personal half in Morocco’s final warmup earlier than the World Cup.“I do know he’s going to do good issues at this World Cup,” Morocco captain Romain Saiss stated.Modric and Dalic warned Ziyech wasn’t the one top-quality Morocco participant, choosing out wing again Achraf Hakimi and midfielder Sofiane Boufal as effectively.For Morocco, the late teaching change has made the World Cup attainable for Ziyech however perhaps made it more durable for the staff.Regragui, who has by no means been a global coach earlier than, was introduced in on the finish of August, giving him solely two full months to place his mark on the staff. That is probably not sufficient time to get one thing particular out of Morocco, which has solely made it out the group stage as soon as at a World Cup, in 1986.Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has supplied inspiration for each underdog on the World Cup, and particular inspiration for the Moroccans. Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard was once in command of Morocco.“It’s good to see issues being shaken up,” Regragui stated. “Soccer is for everybody.”___
Luka Modric set for a final World Cup run with Croatia
