Niko Kovač: "Croatia was brave, smart and disciplined"

Despite playing without a number of best players, featuring mostly youngsters and debutants, Croatia was looking very good against Messi, Aguero, Di Maria and other Argentine superstars.

Head coach Niko Kovač was therefore right to glow after the match:

"I am so proud of my boys and what they have shown against these kind of quality players. The Argentines are a joy to watch. I congratulate Croatia, we have been brave, smart and disciplined, showing the right kind of attitude. The first 45 minutes were near perfection, just as we agreed, while in the second half the things became more difficult. However, we have seen how we need to play for Croatia", he said.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Argentina scored after one deflection and one penalty kick. Does Croatia regret losing?

"As an athlete and a former footballer, I never want to lose. But this is football, and Argentina had a couple of excellent chances to score more. I hoped for a surprise, I would have been extremely happy with a draw, but the way we played allows a defeat as well", answered Kovač.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Mateo Kovačić was brilliant in the first half, but all the players deserved their share of the praise.

"I don't want to single anyone out, but Kovačić proved to be a quality players, and he has to do that match after match. He is still young, but is destined to be one of the key players for Croatia. All of my players have proved themselves. Croatia is maybe a small country, yet we have so many talented players. The core of the team in the European qualifiers will be the players that have stayed in Zagreb, and in London we have seen the alternative", emphasized Croatia head coach.

"It is always nice to play in England, especially at this stadium with such a historic value. Bilić, Štimac and Šuker left a positive mark on West Ham's ground, and I believe we have done the same today", concluded Kovač.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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