National Teams

The hosts join the top

Late Iceland winner
overcomes Croatia

11.06.2017.
Late Iceland winner overcomes Croatia
photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
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Croatia national football team visited Reykjavik on Sunday to play its sixth World Cup qualifier.

ICELAND - CROATIA 1:0 (0:0)
2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group I.
Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik.

Referee: A. Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Goals: 1:0 - Magnusson (90')

Cautions: -

Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, R. Sigurdsson (90+1' Ingason), Arnason, Magnusson, Hallfredsson, Gunnarsson, Gudmundsson, Bjarnason (81' Gislason), G. Sigurdsson, Finnbogason (77' Sigurdarsson). Head coach: H. Hreidarsson. 

Croatia: L. Kalinić, Pivarić, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj, Badelj, Modrić, Kovačić, Perišić, Mandžukić (88' Santini), N. Kalinić (63' Brozović). Head coach: A. Čačić.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Following the four wins and a draw in the first five rounds of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Croatia started the second part of the competition with a defeat at Iceland.

Croatia's half-chances in the first 45 minutes included a Perišić back pass to Mandžukić, and a low shot from Modrić, while G. Sigurdsson came close with a free kick on 36 minutes. Besides, Croatia defence had to intervene on a couple of occasions following Iceland crosses.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

On 55 minute, Perišić and N. Kalinić created a great opportunity for Croatia, but Fiorentina striker shot wide, and Brozović's long-range effort really tested Halldorsson ten minutes later. However, the defiant Icelanders responded through Bjarnason and G. Sigurdsson, and Croatia goalie L. Kalinić superbly saved Gudmundsson's header on 89 minutes.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

The hosts finally broke the deadlock in 90th minute, when Magnusson converted a G. Sigurdsson cross from the corner kick. Therefore, Croatia and Iceland continue the qualifying campaign equal on points. In September, Ante Čačić's men welcome Kosovo and visit Turkey.

In other two Group I matches, Ukraine won at Finland 2:1, while Turkey had reasons to celebrate at Kosovo (4:1).

Group I:
1. Croatia 13
2. Iceland 13
3. Turkey 11
4. Ukraine 11
5. Finland 1
6. Kosovo 1

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

11.06.2017., Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik. Spectators: 9775
Referees: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP), Roberto Alonso Fernandez (ESP), Javier Aguilar Rodriguez (ESP)
Fourth referee: Carlos Clos Gomez (ESP)
Iceland
1
Croatia
0
1Thor Hannes Halldorsson12Lovre Kalinić
2Mar Birkir Saevarsson10Luka Modrić
6Ragnar Sigurdsson
90'+1'
8Mateo Kovačić
7Johann Gudmundsson13Tin Jedvaj
8Birkir Bjarnason
81'
22Josip Pivarić
10Gylfi Thor Sigurdsson4Ivan Perišić
11Alfred Finnbogason
77'
19Milan Badelj
14Kari Arnason17Mario Mandžukić
88'
17Aron Einar Gunnarsson21Domagoj Vida
18Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson
90'
16Nikola Kalinić
63'
20Emil Hallfredsson6Dejan Lovren
Bench
12Ogmundur Kristinsson1Dominik Livaković
13Ingvar Jonsson18Filip Bradarić
5Sverrir Ingi Ingaason
90'+1'
5Matej Mitrović
9Bjorn Bergmann SIgurdarson
77'
9Ivan Santini
88'
19Rurik Gislason
81'
11Marcelo Brozović
63'
3Aron Sigurdarson14Duje Čop
4Hjortur Hermannsson15Marko Rog
15Runar Mar Sigurjonsson2Mario Pašalić
16Olafur Ingi Skulason20Franko Andrijašević
21Arnor Ingvi Traustason
22Jon Dadi Bodvarsson
23Ari Freyr Skulason
Coaches
Heimir HallgrimssonAnte Čačić

Croatia head coach Ante Čačić and captain Luka Modrić spoke to the press on the eve of the Iceland qualifier.

Croatia visits Iceland in the sixth round of Group I matches, with the two teams topping the table: Croatia leading on 13 points, second-placed Iceland trailing three.

"Our team is aware of Iceland qualities, especially set-pieces. Unity is their main strength, they do not surrender until the final whistle - more than any other team. However, if Croatia manages to keep up with this level of commitment, then our quality should prevail. It is important to play responsibly every single match, and we'll try to dominate and create chances, seeking the win as we always do", said Croatia head coach Ante Čačić.

"I am calm despite the injuries of a couple of our most important players. We have quality strong-willed players, who play for Croatia with passion and pride. I am convinced they will not fail, since we all put team objectives first", he added.

Captain Luka Modrić rejoices the chance to defend Croatia colours once again, regardless of the fatigue.

"We have prepared well and look forward to this match. This is probably the most important game of this qualifying round, a positive result would bring us close to Russia. We'll be missing the injured players, but we have quality replacements and I am sure everybody will do his job. It is difficult to play in June, but there can be no excuses - we have to focus and present Croatia in the best possible light - just like we did in previous qualifiers", he says.

"Having faced Iceland on a couple of occasions, I can say they are a tough team, difficult to beat - especially in Reykjavik. They stand together, with Gylfi Sigurdsson as the star of German and English top tier. Iceland is very aggressive team, and Croatia has to respond in the same manner in order to present quality. We respect Iceland, but we came to win, and I believe we can achieve that", concluded Modrić.

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foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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