SOCHI, July 8: Ivan Rakitic is hoping this Croatia team can go a step further after matching the country�s heroes of 1998 by making it to the semifinals of the World Cup.
Barcelona midfielder Rakitic scored the decisive spot-kick as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic quarterfinal in Sochi on Saturday finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time.
�We worked so hard and gave everything we had to get through to the semis. I think for a country like Croatia it is impressive and we want to keep going further,� said Rakitic.
�We want to enjoy this victory and not put more pressure on ourselves with what happened in 1998 � what they did was impressive but we want to keep writing our own history and enjoy what we are doing which is very positive.�
Croatia will play England in the last four in Moscow on Wednesday, as they aim to outdo the team of 20 years ago. Back then they lost to hosts France in the last four. � AFP
