Third time lucky?

Injury-prone Boksic desperate to stay fit

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) -- Alen Boksic has won the Italian championship, the Champions Cup and a host of other trophies and accolades. But there's one thing missing in the veteran striker's collection: a medal for Croatia.

Boksic was instrumental in his country's qualification for the European Championships in 1996 and the World Cup in 1998, scoring key goals in both campaigns.

But his fortunes took an ugly turn and he missed both finals through injury, having to watch painfully from the sidelines as the fledgling nation made it to the quarterfinals of Euro '96 and the semifinals of the World Cup in France two years later.

"It's just plain bad luck," the 32-year-old said. "Hopefully, I've had my share and this time I'll be fit as a fiddle."

Fit is one word to describe Boksic's form as of late. Fantastic is another.

Since shrugging off nagging injuries that hampered him earlier in the year, Boksic has helped lift his English Premier League club Middlesbrough out of the relegation zone and even given it a shot at clinching a berth in one of Europe's cup competitions.

Boksic has scored nine goals for Middlesbrough since his transfer from Italian Serie A side Lazio this season. One of his most vital goals came in a recent 1-0 away win at Old Trafford against title-chasers Manchester United.

"That's what I'm paid for and I hope the club is out of danger," said Boksic, who starred in Marseille's Champions Cup triumph in 1993 and Lazio's Serie A title in 2000.

"But everything is focused on the World Cup this year and that's where I hope to make a splash," he added.

Boksic is a robust attacker with breathtaking pace and can shoot with both feet. It is virtually impossible to contain him when he has his face towards the goal and the ball at his feet.

Although Croatian coach Mirko Jozic has opted for a defensive style of play at the World Cup, he hopes that Boksic will demoralize the opposition's defense with his trademark runs on the counter-attack.

"A healthy and fit Boksic up front is the dream of any coach," Jozic said. "He is not only dangerous on the ball, but he can often draw two or more players onto himself and throw the opposition's back formation into complete disarray."

 

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