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Capello faces tough Croatia test

ZAGREB: Fabio Capello faces his first real test as England coach when his team plays old adversary Croatia in a tricky World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

The Italian has so far led England only in friendlies and in Saturday’s stuttering 2-0 win over lowly Andorra in the first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup.

Croatia has never lost a home competitive game and knocked England out of contention for the 2008 European Championship with double qualifying victories over Capello’s predecessor Steve McClaren.

“I will be very happy if Croatia would play like Andorra. But I don’t think that is going to happen,” Capello said. “Croatia are at home, they have to go forward and try to score goals.

“The game will be different ... I think we have to play to win, always,” he said.

Gerrard out with injury

England will be missing key midfielder Steven Gerrard, who underwent groin surgery late last month.

England’s defensive stability could be partially satisfied by the return of central defender Rio Ferdinand. The Manchester United player missed the Andorra match because of back and neck injuries, but has returned to training.

Against Andorra, England looked better with the introduction of Emile Heskey and Joe Cole. Capello still has to decide whether to start with Cole, who came off the bench at halftime against Andorra to score the two goals.

It was the second time that Cole had bailed out Capello after scoring a last-gasp equaliser in a friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley last month.

“Yes, I have got to think about Joe. He is very good for himself at the moment and very good for us,” Capello said.

“But, I have to decide what the first 11 will be against Croatia. It will be another game, and it will be a different sort of game.”

Striker Jermain Defoe acknowledged that England would be happy with a draw.

Massive game

“A draw would be a great result in Croatia,” he said. `We have to be strong and believe we are going to win because it is a massive game.” — AP

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