Croatia in confident mood for Sweden clash

Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar is confident his team can beat Sweden in the match that is likely to decide top spot in World Cup qualifying Group Eight.

"The Swedes are good, but we are better. I believe in my players, despite the slip at Malta. I know they will play well on Saturday," Kranjcar said.

Croatia could only draw 1-1 with Malta last month, allowing Sweden to move ahead of them at the top of the group.

Kranjcar said his side were not afraid of Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is doubtful for the game in Zagreb with injury.

"If Ibrahimovic is an extra-terrestrial, our Dado Prso is even more so," he said.

"Sweden's game does not vary much, with or without particular players. But each of my players is better than their Swedish counterpart," Kranjcar said.

"We'll tame the three Swedish devils, like we did in Stockholm," he said, referring to Ibrahimovic, Fredrik Ljungberg and Henrik Larsson.

Croatia beat Sweden 1-0 in their first meeting last year.