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Subasic becomes third Croatian to quit team

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BELGRADE: Another of Croatia’s World Cup heroes, goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, has decided to retire from international football.


“It’s time, after 10 years with the national team, that I too say goodbye to the most cherished jersey,” he wrote in a letter posted on the Croatian football association HNS website on Wednesday.


Subasic has followed defender Vedran Corluka and striker Mario Mandzukic in stepping down from international football since the national team’s 4-2 defeat to France in the July 15 World Cup final in Moscow. Mandzukic announced his international retirement on Tuesday.


The 33-year-old keeper’s saves in penalty shoot-outs — including stopping three of five against Denmark — were a major factor in Croatia reaching the final.


“It was a long journey, from the first call to join in 2008 and the realisation of a dream for the ‘little goalie from Zadar’,” Subasic said.


He thanked all his coaches, but singled out Slaven Bilic, who issued the first invitation, and the present team leader Zlatko Dalic, “with whom we reached that incredible (World Cup) silver.”


Subasic added that he had decided to retire after the World Cup even before the tournament began.


“All of us have a date of expiry and it is up to us to estimate how long we can last,” he said and concluded that “no club competition can compare to playing for Croatia.” — dpa


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