‘We can win,’ says Al Ain’s Zoran Mamic on Croatia
As Croatia brushed aside England to reach the side’s first World Cup final, one man who played a key role in the development of their squad was proudly watching on from Al Ain.
Zoran Mamic is coach of UAE professional club Al Ain. As former manager of Dinamo Zagreb he helped to nurture the early careers of many Croatian players now preparing to take on France in Sunday’s showpiece.
Days before a pre-season tour to Slovenia, Mamic watched the World Cup semi-final with the backroom staff in Al Ain, many of who are also Croatian.
“I am still close to the players in the team and the national federation of Croatia,” said Mamic, a member of the 1998 World Cup squad knocked out in the semi-finals by France.
“Of course the country is proud but the players will not yet fully understand what they have achieved. This is history. It is hard to find the words to describe this achievement. I’m very proud of these players as I was directly involved with the development of 60 to 70 per cent of the players now in the national team.”
Star players Luka Modric and Dejan Lovren were two to come through at Dinamo Zagreb under the watchful eye of Mamic.
Several former Dinamo executives, including Mamic, face charges over alleged corruption and impropriety of transfer fees involving high-profile players.
In the past few years, in-fighting between the Croatian Football Federation and Hajduk Split club have created fissures in the sport, while disciplinary action by Fifa and Uefa has led to the national side playing home games in empty stadiums.
Mamic said: “It has not been easy to work in these circumstances, so this result is very positive and even more impressive.
“Nobody knows if Croatia will win the World Cup, but we know we can. It is an amazing time for the country, for the people’s happiness and the economy – I hope we can go all the way.
“On Sunday I will watch the final in the training camp with the staff and players.”
He said: “Our hearts and minds will be with the players in Moscow.
“The country must celebrate this win and use it to help not only football but all sports in Croatia.”