Andrej Kramaric keeps Croatia’s World Cup hopes alive
Iceland topped their group, but Croatia managed to finish second by beating Ukraine!
SNS | New Delhi | October 10, 2017 9:42 am
Croatian players celebrate their win after the full-time whistle (Photo: AFP)
Andrej Kramaric’s second-half brace powered Croatia to a 2-0 win over Ukraine and as a result the Vatreni assured themselves of a play-off for next year’s World Cup by finishing second to Iceland in their qualification group.
A steward carries a flair thrown on the pitch by Croatia supporters (Photo: AFP)
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A crisis had erupted in Croatia after they drew 1-1 against Iceland on October 7, with coach Ante Cacic getting the sack as a result of their sub-par performance.
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Ukraine’s Yevhen Konoplyanka (R) was unable to work his magic on the night! (Photo: AFP)Zlatko Dalic led his team to a vital victory in his first game in charge! (Photo: AFP)
With a host of big-name players in their squad, including Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic, among others, Croatia were under severe pressure to beat Ukraine in what was effectively a play-off to reach the play-offs.
They took their sweet time on Monday night at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, opening their account on the hour-mark thanks to Kramaric’s thumping header.
Croatia captain Luka Modric floated in a delightful cross and the 5’11 Kramaric rose highest to head home the vital breakthrough.
Kramaric, who had disappointed during his spell with Premier League side Leicester City but has rejuvenated has career at Bundesliga team 1899 Hoffenheim, then added another for good measure when he arrived at the far-post to covert Ivan Rakitic’s volleyed pass in the 70th minute.
Ukraine, managed by legend Andriy Shevchenko, were unable to muster anything of note and were limited to testing Croatian keeper Daniel Subasic from distance.
The former AC Milan striker was unable to inspire his troops to victory (Photo: AFP)
Subasic had a nervy start to the game, almost letting a speculative shot trickle but recovered well and apart from that, looked calm between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Iceland beat Kosovo 2-0 to confirm top spot in the group with 22 points and qualify for the World Cup. Croatia ended their campaign in second-place with 20 points and will advance to the play-offs.
The Blue Tigers are set to face Kuwait in their opening Group A fixture at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Thursday, November 16 , before returning home to take on Qatar at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, November 21.
India have been drawn in Group A of the Asian qualifiers, alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and the winners of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 fixture between Afghanistan and Mongolia.
