Mato Stanković: We have problems with infected players, but we are not looking for alibies

Croatian national futsal team is training in Zadar in which they will play the first-leg playoff qualifier for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021. 

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The match against the Czech Republic is scheduled for Saturday (7 November) in 19:00 (CET), and the second leg will be played in Brno on 10 November. 

"Several of our players were tested positive on coronavirus. But, such are the times. We could have expected that. We are not looking for alibies. The goal is to qualify for the World Cup", said Croatian head coach Mato Stanković for Croatian news web page Dubrovački vjesnik.

"Five to six players came from self-isolation so we have to be careful with training regimes. On the other side, the Czech national team doesn't have problems with infected players. All of them tested negative", said Stanković.

Although bookmakers are pushing Croatia to favourites, Stanković calls for caution:

"Czechia is a true warrior team. They are waiting for the opponent's mistakes. They are very strong as a collective. Maybe we have a bigger individual quality, but guests proved their quality in recent games when they defeated Slovenia. The winner will be decided by the details, the mood of the individuals. We must be prepared for two very difficult and non-favourite games", said Stanković for Dubrovački vjesnik.

Players that trained on Monday:

Goalkeepers: Žarko Luketin (Olmissum, CRO), Zoran Primić (Square, CRO), Marko Vuković (Vrgorac, CRO)

Dario Marinović (Jimbee Cartagena, ESP), Ante Daničić (Saviatesta Mantova, ITA), Matej Horvat (Olmissum, CRO), Franco Jelovčić (PH Halle Gooik, BEL), Marko Kuraja (Saviatesta Mantova, ITA), Tihomir Novak (Dobovec, SLO), Vedran Matošević (Dobovec, SLO), Kristijan Postružin (Olmissum, CRO), Josip Suton (Meta Catania, ITA), Luka Suton (Saviatesta Mantova, ITA) and Luka Perić (Dobovec, CRO).