Former assistant coach of the Croatian National Team Josip šimunić has advised the players to be focused on their World Cup opener against Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 16, knowing full well that they stand a chance of progressing to the next round if they beat the African powerhouse.

In four previous appearances at the World Cup, Croatia have never made it to the knockout rounds apart from the 1998 tournament in France, where they caused a sensation by finishing third.

''We need more tranquility. We need to leave the coaches and the staff to work, give the players maximum support and concentrate on the first match against Nigeria,'' said šimunić to Sportske Novosti.

''If all these preconditions are fulfilled, then we can have a good tournament. The most important is the support, the quality we have anyway.''

Australian-born Josip šimunić was assistant coach of Croatia 2015–2017, and played at the 2006 World Cup.

Croatia will face Peru and Mexico in pre-World Cup friendlies this month.

Igho Kingsley