Suker's ambition

Croatian striker aiming to defend Golden Boot title

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) -- World Cup Golden Boot holder Davor Suker has seen better days.

At 34, his bones are aching, his muscles are worn and he's battling to string a couple of full games in a row for his Bundesliga club Munich 1860.

Still, many Croats think there is more powder left in Suker's magic left foot and just enough goals to rekindle unforgettable memories of France '98, when Croatia surprised the soccer world and reached the semifinals in its World Cup debut.

Suker, the tournament's best scorer with six goals, is confident he can repeat that performance.

"I'm not ready for the scrap-metal heap just yet," Suker said. "Playing in another World Cup and defending the top-scoring title is all that I am living for right now.

"My mind is still hungry and, contrary to what people may think, so is my body," the aging ace said.

Suker is coming back from almost a year off from soccer. After glory in national colors and reaching dizzying heights with Spanish giants Real Madrid, he hit a long slump. Not even short stints at English Premier League clubs Arsenal and West Ham helped him find his spark.

With other members of the "bronze generation," such as Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilic, Drazen Ladic and Aljosa Asanovic hanging up their boots, Suker was also caught seriously contemplating calling it quits.

"I was under the constant grind of professional soccer since I was a teen-ager," Suker said. "I never had a serious injury and the years of piled up fatigue simply took its toll."

Fretting for almost a year, many Croats rejoiced when Suker signed for Munich 1860 after a hiatus mostly spent with tennis stars and models on his luxurious yacht. He also dabbled in business, starting a soccer academy for young stars and launching his own brand of sporting equipment.

But Suker has had some trouble shaking off the cobwebs. He has been plagued by a series of nagging injuries and has rarely played a full game for his new club.

He isn't panicking just yet, though.

"There is no rush, I'm tempering my form for the World Cup. I can't afford to peak prematurely," he said.

 

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