Victory before Turkey visit
Vida breaks Kosovo's resistance in Sunday restart
03.09.2017.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia hosted Kosovo national football team in another successful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier, finishing on Sunday the job commenced on Saturday.
CROATIA - KOSOVO 1:0 (0:0)
2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group I.
Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb.
Referee: S. Johannesson (Sweden)
Goals: 1:0 - Vida (74')
Cautions: Muriqi (65'), Vojvoda (83'), Pivarić (90')
Croatia: Subašić, Pivarić, Lovren, Vida, Vrsaljko, Modrić, Kovačić (55' Badelj), Rakitić (55' Kramarić), Brozović (73' N. Kalinić), Perišić, Mandžukić. Head coach: A. Čačić.
Kosovo: Ujkani, Vojvoda, Rrahmani, Jashanica, Kololli (71' Paqarada), Alushi, Rashica, Berisha, Kryeziu, Zeneli (79' Nuhiu), Muriqi (67' Fejzullahu). Head coach: A. Bunjaki.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Last October, Croatia won away at Kosovo 6:0, while the match in Zagreb had to played in two parts. Starting on Saturday evening, it was abandoned on 22 minutes due to heavy rain and unsuitable pitch condition, ready to be continued on Sunday afternoon.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
On Saturday, Perišić, Vrsaljko, and Brozović tried to find the way past Ujkani, while in the remaining part of the first half it was again Perišić alongside Mandžukić and Modrić coming close to scoring. On the other side, Muriqi and Zenel tried a shot, but the goalkeepers were not significantly tested.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Perišić was again in focus at the beginning of second half, but his shot went just wide. Berisha then responded, with Croatia putting even more pressure on Kosovo defence as the minutes went by, resulting in Brozović and Pivarić efforts.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
The deciding moment came on 74 minutes. Captain Modrić cross from the left found Vida, whose header managed to beat Ujkani and made it 1:0.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Later on, Croatia did not let this advantage slip out hands. Therefore, Ante Čačić's men remain top of the Group I, making another step towards the World Cup in Russia.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In the remaining Group I matches, Finland defeated Iceland at home 1:0, while Ukraine beat Turkey 2:0 in front of the home supporters. On Monday, Croatia travels to Eskisehir to play Turkey on Tuesday evening.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group I:
1. Croatia 16
2. Ukraine 14
3. Iceland 13
4. Turkey 11
5. Finland 4
6. Kosovo 1
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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