Čačić: "A really competitive match, this wasn't easy"

Another Mario Mandžukić goal was enough for Croatia to secure a second victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and to continue to top the group.

"I have to say that I'm really satisfied since we did what we came to do, to secure all six points from Kosovo and Finland encounters. This match against Finland was a really competitive one, with the hosts keeping tight and waiting for their chances. Finland is better than Kosovo, they stand firm in defence and are quick in transformation. Croatia wanted to play its style, we scored, but this wasn't easy. On some occasions we did not react well, but we deserved to win since Finland had no clear opportunities, while we could have scored more", said Croatia head coach Ante Čačić.

"There are definitely some elements we failed to do perfectly, as it was the case with the slow passing movement that allowed Finland contact play. There were some moves that lacked the finishing touch, and Perišić strike hitting the post was just unlucky. However, our wish did come true", he added.

Copyright by Croatian Football Federation. Quoting text from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to HNS as a source and providing direct link to the original content at hns.family. Re-use of the photographs is not permitted.