Speaking at a lecture to trainers regarding Croatia national team preparations for the 2018 World Cup, manager Zlatko Dalic has reiterated that the most important game in their group is the opener against Nigeria on June 16.

The Croatians are in the so called Group of Death which also contains two-time world champions Argentina and dark horses Iceland, who were the Cinderella team at the 2016 European Championship.

''That's right, but we're always ambitious, we're going to be world champions and I respect that,'' Dalic told Sportske Novosti.

''I am ambitious and want to do all the best and the best. The first goal must be to pass the group. The first match against Nigeria will be the decider. They are the key to everything.

''Then Argentina is where we can not look for much. They will be the easiest, because we have nothing to lose. The last is against Iceland, and it is possible that everything will be resolved.''

Croatia finished second behind Iceland in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and qualified for their fifth World Cup after beating Greece in the playoffs.

Igho Kingsley