Croatia

Rank: 20 World Cup appearances: 3 tournaments Best result: Third Place (1998) Top SCORERS (QUALIFYING) Mario Mandzukic (4) For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

Based on the pedigree of their squad, Croatia have high hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup, but other factors may come into play against hosts Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico.
The Croatians, who have not reached the last 16 since their impressive third-place finish in the 1998 tournament, face a daunting opener against favourites Brazil in Sao Paulo on June 12 and defeat would put pressure on them to win the remaining two group fixtures against dangerous opponents.
Their preparations will also be challenging, with long-haul flights across Brazil to face Cameroon in the Amazonian city of Manaus before taking on the Mexicans in Recife five days later.
Croatia, who have qualified for eight out of 10 major tournaments as an independent nation, will also be under considerable pressure from their fans and media to snap an under-achieving streak if not to emulate past glory. Much will depend on how quickly their coach Niko Kovac adapts to the challenge of managing a talented squad during the tournament. The former defensive midfielder restored order in the dressing room after the Croatians almost fell apart under Stimac, who lost four of his last six games in charge and, more importantly, his authority in the dressing room. Playmaker Luka Modric will have to fire on all cylinders for Croatia to navigate the group and Kovac also has few world class options in defence, missing banned stalwart Josip Simunic. Croatia are capable of advancing into the business end of the tournament if they can produce their best football while managing huge expectations at home to rekindle some of the 1998 flame.

STRENGTH

Proven strike force
There is plenty of depth up front in the proven scorers of Ivica Olic, Eduardo da Silva and Nikica Jelavic, supported by the tried and trusted attacking midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

Youngsters
The youth is personified by talented 20-year-old central midfielder Mateo Kovacic who burst into the spotlight in qualifying and by defender Dejan Lovren after he found his feet in the Premier League at Southampton.

WEAKNESS

The defence
Unfortunately, the defence is blessed with no such strength. Left-back in particular is a big issue and there are no top-tier wingers to be found. Who plays at holding midfield is a big question mark, but the anticipated rise of Ante Rebic has Croatia fans excited; he could fill the hole left by Mario Mandzukic's expected ban in the group stages.

Luka Modric: The midfielder will try to channel the same winning spirit that won him the Champions League.

ONE TO WATCH

Luka Modric
Luka Modric has progressed steadily through the ranks of European football to earn a place in Real Madrid's starting team and his form will be vital for Croatia's bid to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 1998.
Modric was 13, and at home in Zadar on the Adriatic coast, when his country reached the semifinals at France 98, their first major tournament as an independent nation.
The frail-looking but tough and gifted central midfielder has found it difficult to emulate his predecessor, Zvonimir Boban, and Croatia's recent national sides have failed to build on that talented 90s generation.
Modric struggled in his first season at Real under Jose Mourinho, but his breakthrough came when he made a decisive impact in a 3-2 aggregate win over Manchester United in the 2012-2013 Champions League last 16.
Modric has been in fine form this season and was again one of Croatia's key players in World Cup qualifying, and if he can maintain his influence, Croatia will be a threat in Brazil.

Coach: Niko Kovac

Having missed Croatia's greatest international success as a player through injury, Niko Kovac will head to the World Cup hoping he can reach similar heights with the Balkan nation in a coaching capacity after guiding them to the finals.
The 42-year-old former defensive midfielder was thrown into the fray at the most delicate moment in qualifying. But although he lacks experience, the German-born Kovac will hardly be overawed by the task or the occasion as he played at two World Cups as an automatic starter for his country in 2002 and 2006.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Vfl Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Sammir (Getafe), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka)
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Vfl Wolfsburg), Eduardo da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)