Croatian police have put an armed guard on the house of Socceroo striker Mark Viduka for fear it will be attacked if Australia knocks the Croats out of the World Cup.

The location of Viduka's villa in Lozica in Dubrovnik was not well known until it was mentioned on a Croatian national TV program by a reporter.

The Croatian newsman, reporting from the Australian camp in Germany, told viewers back home he had been talking to Viduka about how he would feel about putting Croatia out of the competition, identifying where Viduka's house is.

The reporter joked with his presenter about how secure the house would be should Australia go through to the second round at Croatia's expense.

Police responded by putting a squad of officers around the property for fear fans who now know the address could try to damage the villa.

Viduka, who grew up in Melbourne, is of Croatian heritage and previously played his club football for Dinamo Zagreb.

Several members of the Australian team have Croatian roots, and midfielder Josip Skoko also owns property in the Croatian port town of Split.

Barring an unlikely Japan win against Brazil, Australia will only need to draw with Croatia to join Brazil as qualifiers from group F.

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