Two wins and we're through, insists Ballack

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, whose team stayed top of Group E by beating Estonia in their Euro 2008 qualifier, believes he needs two more wins to secure a berth at next year's tournament.

Croatia, who defeated Estonia 2-0 on Saturday, play Andorra away on Wednesday and host Israel in October. They top the group with 20 points, ahead of Russia (18) and England (17) -- who meet each other at Wembley on Wednesday.

'We are hoping for Russia and England to draw,' Bilic was quoted as saying by spornet.hr, a Croatian sports Web site.

'But really, we only need to look at our own games. We are 90 percent secure. If we beat Andorra and Israel, I think we are definitely in.

'Likewise, one blunder and we can drop the ball completely.'

Bilic said he was very pleased with his team's commitment, and added it had to be sustained to the end of the campaign.

'Playing Andorra at home is a game one must win... But playing Andorra away, on their pitch, that's something else.

'We will not be relaxed, we shall treat this game like any other,' he said.

'We are now in a position where we wanted to be and we deserved it. But this position forces you to treat any further games with utmost seriousness. And that's what this team has.'

Striker Eduardo da Silva, whose two superb goals sank the defensive Estonia, said he enjoyed returning for the first time since his pre-season signing for Arsenal.

'I felt so good at Maksimir (stadium). I felt at home, as if I've never left, and I look forward to coming back again to play Israel,' he told the Web site.

After playing Israel, Croatia's remaining fixtures are away to Macedonia on Nov. 17 and against England at Wembley four days later.

Source: Soccernet.com