Croatia's veteran winger Ivan Perisic said he expects a tough test when his side face Ghana on Monday, but the 33-year-old is confident the team can extend their remarkable unbeaten streak against African opposition at the World Cup in Qatar.
Perisic Draws on Past Success
Perisic has featured in two previous World Cup tournaments and accumulated extensive experience facing African nations during that time. The Croatian Football Federation confirmed the squad arrived in Doha on Thursday, three days before their Group F opener against the Black Stars at Stadium 974.
The Tottenham Hotspur player spoke to reporters at the team's training base, emphasising the respect Ghana deserve as opponents. Croatia's coaching staff have reviewed Ghana's recent matches, including their pre-tournament friendlies against Switzerland and the United States.
Croatia's Unbeaten African Record
Croatia have never lost to an African nation in World Cup history, a fact Perisic is acutely aware of as he prepares for his third World Cup campaign. The team defeated Cameroon in 2014 and Nigeria in 2018 during their previous appearances.
This unbeaten record spans four matches across three different World Cup tournaments. The 2018 campaign saw Croatia top Group D with a perfect record before ultimately reaching the final in Moscow.
Historical Meetings with African Teams
The 1998 French World Cup marked Croatia's first encounter with an African side, a 1-0 group stage victory over Jamaica. Their match against Nigeria in Kaliningrad during 2018 ended 2-0 in their favour, with Perisic himself scoring in the first half.
The disciplined approach that characterised those victories remains central to Croatia's tactical philosophy under current management. Team sources indicate the squad has maintained intensive training sessions in the Qatari capital since their arrival.
Ghana's World Cup Preparations
Ghana enter the tournament as the lowest-ranked team in Group F, sitting 61st in the latest FIFA world rankings. The Black Stars secured their qualification by beating Nigeria in March, a result that eliminated the Super Eagles from the competition.
Instructor Otto Addo has selected a relatively inexperienced squad for the tournament, with several players making their first World Cup appearances. The team flew from Accra to Doha on Wednesday evening ahead of the Group F fixture.
Ghana's attacking options include Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus, who has impressed in the Dutch Eredivisie this season. The West African side will be appearing at their fourth World Cup.
Group F Contest Shape
Both teams understand that an opening victory would provide crucial momentum in Group F, which also contains Brazil and Serbia. The top two teams from the group will advance to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Serbia represent another intriguing encounter for Croatia, with historical ties between the nations. Brazil, five-time world champions, are widely regarded as the group favourites. The tournament's group stage runs through December 2, with the final scheduled for December 18 at Lusail Stadium.
What Happens Next
Kickoff for Croatia versus Ghana is scheduled for 1600 local time in Doha on Monday. Croatia's squad trained at Al Ersal on Saturday morning, with coaching staff working on set-piece routines and defensive organisation.
Perisic, who scored 10 goals in 16 Premier League appearances this season, will be expected to provide creativity and width down the left flank. The match will be broadcast live across multiple platforms, with Nigerian viewers able to follow proceedings through regional sports channels.
Croatia are expected to name their starting lineup several hours before kickoff. The team's medical staff reported no fresh injury concerns following Saturday's training session. Fans gathered outside the team hotel on Sunday morning as final preparations continued ahead of the Group F curtain-raiser.
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