MOSCOW, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic says he is ready to play through pain to help his team against England in Croatia's first World Cup semifinal in 20 years.
Subasic aggravated a hamstring injury late in his team's quarterfinal against Russia on Saturday and was unable to take goal kicks. However he stayed on the pitch, making a crucial block in second-half stoppage time before saving a penalty as his team won a penalty shootout.
"I started warming up before kick-off and I felt the pain in the muscle," Subasic told FIFA.com.
"My physiotherapist massaged my leg a bit and saw I could play. Later, I felt the pain again, but I didn't want to give up. I knew that the coach needed another substitution. During the break the masseurs did some quick work and, like a Formula One car after a pit stop, I was as good as new," Subasic said.
The 33-year-old guaranteed he would be available for Wednesday's match against England at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. "It's been a long season, but you play in a World Cup semifinal once in a lifetime and there's no point giving up now," he said.
The only other time that Croatia made it to the last four of the World Cup was in 1998 and Subasic believes the team can go at least one step further in Russia.
"Some of my personal life goals were to play at the World Cup and especially this: to play a significant role in the games," the Monaco player said. "I've worked hard at my club to achieve this level, and now I enjoy it. Let this story go on."
Subasic also praised the opposition. "England have great players - they are a fantastic team. They have a lot of youngsters, but they are really good, fast, they play for great clubs. It will be another very tough match for us, a great challenge."
