Eduardo: "Brazil respects Croatia, we are all eager to start"

Croatian national football team traveled on Friday to Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria, and Eduardo Alves da Silva is high spirits after having a successful season with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.

"In the last six months I've been getting more and more chances to prove myself, and I am happy. I have been gaining self-confidence and I feel much better now than before", he says.

Croatia is ready for the big challenge in Brazil.

"Hard work is the only way to make it to the first team. We are all eager to start, we want to show what we are capable of", announced Eduardo.

The opening match of the World Cup is scheduled for June 12th. The hosts are aiming for the trophy to be won in front of the Brazilian fans.

"I have spoken to the Brazilian internationals who play in Ukraine. Brazil respects Croatia, they are aware of our strength and discipline, and they know we play in top European club. They are not complacent", say Eduardo.

"It is too early to talk about my potential goal celebrations against Brazil. The only thing that matters is the final result, and if I get the opportunity to score, I will celebrate with my teammates as I always do. My family will be there as well. I do not feel nervous, but everybody will feel the tension before the match, even the Brazilians. Everything will get easier once the match starts", he added.

Mario Mandžukić, Bayern Munich striker, is suspended for the Brazil match. He was sent off in the return leg of the World Cup play-off match against Iceland:

"His absence is a definitely a disadvantage for Croatia, but we have other quality strikers. We are all fighting for the place in the first team, we are all hoping to play against Brazil. However, it is coach Kovač's decision".

Copyright by Croatian Football Federation. Quoting text from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to HNS as a source and providing direct link to the original content at hns.family. Re-use of the photographs is not permitted.