Kovač: "Malta gave us a really hard time. The second half was better"

In the end, Niko Kovač could celebrate an important victory on the first day of Croatia's qualifying campaign, yet admits that the first 45 minutes were far away from his initial idea. Luka Modrić and Andrej Kramarić found the net in the second half.

"I am satisfied with gaining the three points. Every beginning is difficult, in every competition. Malta gave us a really hard time, and in the first half we did not play as expected. The second half was better and our victory was deserved. This is a new Croatian team, full of young players, and we need some time. Nothing is achieved overnight. I congratulate my players", summarized Kovač.

"When I see other results, I am even happier with this result. All the matches are very tight, and Malta will be a hard nut to crack in the following matches. We have to practice how to break this kind of defence", added Croatia head coach.

Croatia got a push from the bench, agreed Kovač, and applauded the away team's stern resistance. Malta finished the match with ten men, playing without sent-off Borg for an entire hour.

"We knew that Malta has to slow down in the dying minutes, especially being a man down. Kramarić and Jelavić did a great job. Hats off to Malta, they have tried to counterattack and use their quality. They gave their best, and played in the only way they can against stronger teams. Of course, it was a bit easier after the sending off", said Niko Kovač.

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