VICTORY AGAINST ISRAEL

Croatia U-16 finish the development tournament in Samobor with three wins

27.04.2026.

Photo by: Nikola Sušac

The Croatian Football Federation U-16 national team recorded its third victory at the development tournament in Samobor, defeating Israel in the final match after a penalty shootout, with an overall score of 5–3.

Israel took the lead in the 25th minute, but Croatia responded quickly through Rio Joka, who got on the scoresheet for the third match in a row to level the score at 1–1 before halftime.

As the score remained unchanged until the final whistle, the winner was decided on penalties, where Ivan Babok, Ivano Mišković, Luka Kolar and Arnes Zulić converted successfully for Croatia.

The team coached by Marijan Budimir thus completed the development tournament with a perfect record, securing three wins — against Paraguay (4–1), Slovenia (7–5 on penalties) and Israel (5–3 on penalties).

Croatia lined up as follows: Vunić, Fabečić (Kikić 46’), Ježić (Andrić 73’), Pušeljić, Bartolović (Kolar 55’), Babok, Primorac (Zulić 60’), Joka (Jurić 55’), Benko (Mišković 73’), Đerek, Šatalić (Krasnić 60’).

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