A draw in Azerbaijan
Croatia fails to convert chances in Baku
03.09.2015.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
Niko Kovač's men visit to Azerbaijan, on the road to EURO 2016 in France, ends in a goalless draw.
AZERBAIJAN - CROATIA 0:0 (0:0)
EURO 2016 qualifying, Group H.
Bakcell Arena, Baku.
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (France)
Goalscorers: -
Yellow cards: Vida (44'), Rakitić (77'), Gurbanov (79'), Agajev (82'), Kovačić (90+1'), Garajev (90+3')
Azerbaijan: K. Agayev, Garayev, Mirzabekov, Hüseynov, Sadygov, Dashdemirov, Nazarov (90' Eddy), Amirguliyev, Ismayilov, Kurbanov (63' Sadygov), R. Gurbanov (79' Nadirov). Head coach: R. Prosinečki.
Croatia: Subašić, Vrsaljko, Ćorluka, Vida, Pranjić, Badelj (59' Kovačić), Modrić (71' Brozović), Perišić (83' Kalinić), Rakitić, Pjaca, Mandžukić. Head coach: N. Kovač.
In its seventh match in Group H qualifyng, Croatia recorded its third draw, securing a 0:0 against Robert Prosinečki's Azerbaijan.
Croatia signalled the attacking intent through Mandžukić in the second minute, and Perišić tried from distance soon afterwards. However, activities later calmed down, until 25th minute.
Rakitić, Perišić, Vrsaljko, and Pjaca had opportunities, and with no changes at halftime, Nazarov was first to fire a shot in the second half.
Perišić immediately responded by hitting the woodwork, while Mandžukić missed a couple of headers.
Kovačić came really close to opening the scoring in 69th minute, but shot wide, and Ismayilov tried to test Subašić at the other end. In the closing minutes, Mandžukić and Pjaca failed to convert their chances.
Croatia thus leaves Baku with a point and travels to Norway. On Sunday, Kovačić will be suspended, with captain Srna returning.
Group H:
1. Italy 15
2. Croatia 14
3. Norway 13
4. Bulgaria 8
5. Azerbaijan 5
6. Malta 1
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