After losing the opening match to Croatia in Kaliningrand, Nigeria will Friday take on Iceland in the second group match in what has been dubbed a make or break encounter.
The match many say will determine whether or not the Gernot Rohr tutored side will survive the group stage. Iceland will be on a consolidation mission after holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw and earning a point in the process. While Iceland and Nigeria are looking forward to that encounter and praying that their performances prove good enough to push them to the next stage, Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic has already ended his world cup campaign after refusing to come in as substitute in match against Nigeria.
Kalinic who apparently has been having grudges with the technical crew, started on the bench for the fourth successive international matches but was asked to enter the fray by boss Zlatko Dalic in the closing stages of the Group D clash in Kaliningrad, an instruction which he flatly refused to obey. Those sympathetic with the striker however said he turned down the instruction citing a problem with his back.
The Croatian boss was forced to turn to Marko Pjaca, to come on in place of forward Mario Mandzukic.
Speaking in the wake of Saturday’s win, Dalic told reporters that the team had finished the game without injuries but ‘with a problem’.
It is understood Dalic was unconvinced by the 30-year-old’s claim and has now subsequently opted to dismiss him.
There was no sign of Kalinic as Croatia trained at their Saint Petersburg base on Sunday ahead of their second Group game against Argentina.
Kalinic’s exit has since exposed Croatia’s lack of attacking options, with Mandzukic the only out-and-out striker available in their squad.