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 Croatians bring in Tomas for Kovac
 Kovas is carded against Japan -- meaning he misses the Australia game. SPECIAL REPORTBAD BRUECKENAU, Germany -- Croatia will replace Robert Kovac with Stjepan Tomas and shift fullback Dario Simic to the center of defence for the must-win Group F match with Australia in Stuttgart on Thursday. Kovac is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the 0-0 draw with Japan on Sunday. "As always my first thought was the right thought," said coach Zlatko Kranjcar. "It will be a big blow as we have got used to him," said Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. "It won't be easy without him but we have other players." Pletikosa said Australia would pose a tough physical challenge. "We are more of a technical team," he said. "It will be decided by character and morale." It will also be decided on goals or a lack of them, a clear problem for Croatia. They have not scored at the finals since a 2-1 victory over Italy in 2002. The normally dependable Darijo Srna even had a penalty saved on Sunday. With one match left, Brazil have qualified from the group with six points, Australia have three and Croatia and Japan one each. 
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