Kovač: "This was quality Croatia, these players are ready for qualifiers"

On Thursday, Croatia won against Cyprus in Pula 2:0, with Mario Mandžukić scoring in each half to complete a very good introduction to EURO 2016 qualifying campaign.

"This was quality Croatia, particularly in the first 45 minutes. We had plenty of chances, twice hit the crossbar, and could have won more comfortably. In the second half we have somewhat lost our rhthym and we have to improve in that area", said Croatia head coach Niko Kovač after the match.

A couple of players earned their first cap this evening, and Kovač had nothing but praise for them.

"I am very satisfied, they all did a great job. They adapted well, these players are ready for the qualifiers. Halilović showed class, and Kramarić reminds me of Šuker with his appearance in the box. They have all work hard to be called up for the national team, and they desire to be even better. There was no fear, since they have been received as if they are experienced part of this team", continued Kovač.

"Now we have a lot of solutions and can confidently approach the following matches. The match against Malta will be similar, but we have shown how to stretch defence like this one. We just have to be more clinical and score an early goal", concluded the head coach, who hopes to have Rakitić, Jelavić, Srna and Mandžukić available on Tuesday.

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