Čačić: "My players are true heroes, hats off"

After four rounds of matches, Croatia tops the qualifying Group I with ten points.

"Congratulations to my players for a successfully completed competitive year. There is still a friendly in Belfast, but these are very valuable three points against a direct opponent for World Cup berth. We wanted to top the group and managed to do so. This was a very difficult match due to weather and pitch conditions, and we wanted to dominate, despite the mistakes from the first half. The organized Iceland team made it difficult, but Modrić came on at half time and consolidated the team. Brozović is back in the desired shape, and I regret Perišić's red card, he will be missed against Ukraine. Kovačić had ankle issues, but still tried to give his best", commented Croatia head coach Ante Čačić.

Croatia was once again playing behind closed doors, and without Dejan Lovren and Nikola Kalinić.

"This qualifying campaign is played in non-football conditions, in an especially difficult group, behind closed doors at home, and this match was played in bad weather. There was no match without injury problems, regardless of the fact we can cover them all, as we did today. We have ten point, we have conceded only once, and I consider my players true heroes. I don't know how to measure their desire to play the national team, we can be really proud of them. Hats off", Čačić emphasized.

On Tuesday, Croatia faces Northern Ireland in a Belfast friendly without Modrić, Kovačić, Rakitić, Subašić, Ćorluka, and possibly Perišić. "We'll seek some answers and welcome this match. Croatia will put in a good performance", said Čačić.

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