As June slowly approaches; so does Croatia’s vital World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Zagreb. In CSR’s latest poll, we asked all of you:
AS OF RIGHT NOW, WHO WOULD YOU RATHER START AGAINST UKRAINE?
It was a ‘loaded question’ as Vukojević currently plays in Ukraine, as does the entire Ukrainian national squad- minus four keys players. This means that ‘Vuki’ has either played alongside these players or against them.
Out of 67 votes, Vukojević easily beat Jurić: 46-21.
So for those of you who would rather take Vukojević’s familiarity with Ukrainian players over Jurić’s experience and current level in Serie A: Why?
I personally thought the vote would be much closer but Vukojević easily won in a landslide. So who voted for Jurić out there?
Yes, this post is over a month old and just now am I starting to get back to comments. My inbox is 300 messages deep in the last month and I have plenty to catch up on in the next few days.
Juric-Vukojevic was a very controversial topic in the month or so leading up to Saturdays match. Watching juric play in numerous matches for Genoa this season, i have always had great things to say about the 'come from nowhere' Croat. He lacks size, strength and is old, however, makes up in wisdom, heart, and isn't afraid of anyone.
vukojevic has the potential to become a Croatian household name as he's done wonders for Dinamo kiev not only in such a short time, but at such a young age.
I agree with Ivica and my vote would have gone to Vuki 'he already plays alongside or against basically the entire Ukrainian squad every week.' Vuki is younger, stronger, and can bag with the much taller Ukrainians in the air.
It appears that Bilic had two formations before the match. the other one had Vuki start in place of Rakitic, however, in the end he didnt want to start with two defensive midfielders.
Juric had an interview with sportske Novosti before the match saying 'I dont know why Bilic is calling me, Im old, limited by my size…. Croatia is not a superpower, Im just being a realist'…. From the vibe on the pitch, I think that Vuki, juric, and Runje are the only players that feel the same way. Robert kovac and some of the other players were offended by his comments…. I'm with Juric on this one, he didnt deserve to start, and this team is all individual talent.
Re: Ljubo
28/29 is okay though. That’s really when players should be at their peak. No physical reason why Ljubo should be struggling to run at 28 or 29. Olic, Petric and Klasnic all are that age now and are fit enough. If Ljubo gets back fit and scoring he’ll be good for one tournament. Its age 31 plus which worries me regards strikers. I’m really none too convinced that Kalinic, Ruki, Mandza and Perisic are the future yet. Waiting for them to do something in a stronger league first. Perisic is the one seeming more able at the moment as had shined at a bad club which shows he has quality. I’d say the other 3 are yet to prove themselves.
The point i’d agree is your number 4. Once a player gets seriously injured its never certain what might happen after. Also he’s out of contract end of season so not sure where he will be cropping up next.
Hehe – regards other strikers i’d say Ahmad Sharbini still has a future as well as one of the most in move HNL players at the moment – thats if he does not make any more bizarre moves to the Middle East. I’d like to see Ahmad Sharbini at a mid table German club and see how he does.
Reasons why Goran Ljubojevic won’t get a call up:
1. He’s 26. Even if he’s a part of the 2012 qualifying campaign, we’re in the same boat as Prso, Petric and Olic. Older strikers.
2. Plays in Belgium. Not the sexiest of the European leagues.
3. Hasn’t been looked at since his u-21 stint.
4. Coming off a serious injury.
We need to seriously get something going with Kalinic, Rukavina, Mandzukic and Perusic. Strikers shelf life is very short in international football as we all know.
Talking of a player that disappeared into obscurity Goran Ljubojevic. I think at 25 he can still make a comeback. Since 2007 he has been badly injured. See link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YxOv8y0h1Y
I remember watching him play for Croatia Under 21’s against England and thinking what a player as he was powerful and neat on the ground and Croatia doesn’t have many big strikers. Would be nice to see him have a really strong season next year. With Petric, Olic and Klasnic being 28 or 29 i don’t know how good they’ll be after the next world cup. Having three strikers over 30 plus for Euro 2012 sounds a bit like the Mirko Jozic days when we was all hoping for Suker, Prosinecki, Jarni and Boksic could still do it when they could no longer run. Would be greater if players like Ljubo had a second coming.
I wouldn’t go as far to say Juric is a bad player just cos he’s been down in the lower division. It isn’t easy for Croatians. They leave Croatia for all sorts of countries – have to learn a totally new language and settle in new places and their clubs don’t really care about whats best for their career – they just accept anyone willing to give money which is why they could literally go to any obscure club. Look at Mato Neretljak he was a Croatian international and scored against Germany and then he made a move for money to the Far East – enjoyed it out there and never came back and never played with Croatia again. There is many Croats who are good players that have disappeared into obscurity, especially if they suffer injuries. However the fact Juric has come back from nowhere shows a strength of character.
ive seen both players play and they are both good players, the biggest thing is that there very diffrent players but play the same position.My vote goes to vuki, i think he has alot of poise and is solid in the back of the mid, he brings size and grit who has sometimes a nice noise for the goal, also i dont think juric is more experienced, i think to gain experience you need to play in big games, and juric has never played european football, it seems like this is juric’s first time being on the big stage, and vuki has played champions league and looks like on course for a uefa cup final.
ivan juric? has anyone head of him realy before…heres some facts on the unkown 33 yr old croat..he played for split in 94 till 97 in 75 games n scored 2 goals, nothing impressive there…then played for sevilla fc in 97 till 01 appearing in 64 games and scoring 6 goals…ok hes geting better he moved up into la liga, nowww he goes to FC CROTONE…whooo???? a team in serie C…com on isant that a part time player league lol..he appeared in 165 games scoring 1 goal..in a serie c league, jus 1 goal? weak!..somehow in 2006 he goes to genoa fc…no idea how he makes the jump..playing in 84 games he has 1 goal…i think he is useless and vukojevic should play, i think leko n porkivac should play before he even puts a jersey on
Vukojevic
Strong, young player with international experience. He is doing well playing in Ukraine and like you guys said, he already plays alongside or against basically the entire Ukrainian squad every week. This is an easy decision to make.
vuko L.I.A.
vuko
Vukojevic is my pick all the way. He’s young so his pace will be better and he’s proving that he can play defense as well as offense for his club. So why not have a Central Midfielder that can have 2 dimensions rather than just one. It’s only making us better. Another factor with his age is that the rest of the starting 11 are relatively young so having them play more often now pays off big time later and we do have time especially until South Africa. 2010 Let’s do it again!!
I’ve not voted for anyone yet as have never seen ivan juric play. they stopped showing italian football in england a little while back.
as a dinamo fan i know more about vukojevic though and i like that he scores goals as well as defends and creates. I think he is so much more than a stopper. I also still have time for Leko and Pokrivac as its been a bit better from them lately.
Ivan Juric’s situation is a bit bizarre as the guys come out of nowhere. I can’t even remember him at Hajduk. He definitely gets my vote for the greatest reappearence from obscurity. I’d like to see him play a full 90 on TV before saying he should be in the team. Clearly as a first eleven player in a good Genoa side though he is doing great things and deserves a glance.
Whats everyones veiw on if DRPIC, VEJIC, ROBERT KOVAC AND KNEZEVIC were in our next squad. which should stay and which should go?
Also what about MANDZUKIC AND KALINIC? Should they have a place on their current unspectacular form.
Also can i ask what happened with our Under 21 team – did they fail to qualify for the final tournament. Why is IVAN PERISIC AND NIKOLA KALINIC not playing in the team. Isn’t Kalinic’s current non activity in the full team detremental to the player when he could be helping the Under 21 side.
Also does everyone still want RUKAVINA in the squad. Is it better to give some play Andrej Keric the chance to be fifth striker who can be looked at by the staff in training and who has had a good month in good form with pace and finishing ability.