by Suker determined to defend Golden Boot title
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/011203/80/ck9ar.html
ZAGREB, Croatia (Reuters) - Croatia striker Davor Suker said he would "work
like a maniac" to fulfil his dream of winning a second successive Golden
Boot award at the 2002 World Cup finals.
"I will be defending the best scorer title and no one can convince me that I
will not score two goals against Mexico," Suker, who walked away with the
title in France '98, told the Jutarnji List newspaper.
Suker recently signed for German first division side Munich 1860 after
several months without a club. The lack of match practice has cost the
33-year-old forward a regular place in the national squad for which he
scored 44 goals in 66 appearances.
But Suker said: "I had a break from football, and I am yearning to play
again."
"I will work like a maniac for six months for those two goals, I will
sacrifice everything," added Croatia's all-time top scorer.
Croatia meet Mexico in the group G opener on June 3, 2002, and Suker is
hoping to emulate his feat from three years ago, when he entered the second
stage of the competition with three goals.
Italy and World Cup debutants Ecuador were also drawn in Croatia's group.
With Italy favourites to win the group and Ecuador standing an outside
chance of progressing, Croatia -- coached by Mirko Jozic -- are likely to
have to beat Mexico in order to make the second round.
Suker, admitting Croatia were fortunate with the draw, said: "We are lucky
to have a coach who worked in South America for 10 years, and knows well
their mentality. That's our advantage.
"Mexico and Ecuador are our chance."
Jozic spent several years as a coach in Chile, Argentina and Mexico.