Head coach Tomislav Rukavina and his young players successfully took on Romania in the final match and managed to keep yet another clean sheet (4:0). The Croatian U-16s started the match off strong and were already two goals ahead of their opponents by the end of the first half-time thanks to goals by Marko Cukon (26’) and Marin Prekodravac (33’). Though Rukavina subbed in a number of new players in the second half-time, the team maintained their excellent performance and scored two additional goals before the final whistle (one by Lovro Zvonarek in the 57th minute, and another by Luka Duduković in the 65th minute).
Croatia thus won the “Vlatko Marković” Tournament with ten goals scored, zero goals conceded and four victories out of four matches played – a truly excellent track record for Rukavina and the young Croats.
foto: Dražen Patarčić/HNS
"As hosts, we did what we intended to do. These boys deserve praise not just for their performances on the pitch, but also for their overall approach during this tournament. We’re truly very happy with this result – we have a great generation on our hands, with lots of strong and talented players. If our young players continue developing and growing their game, I’m sure the future of our senior team is going to be a bright one," said coach Tomislav Rukavina after the match.
foto: Dražen Patarčić/HNS
Captain of the Croatian U-16s Rocco Žiković took the title of best player at the tournament, while his teammate Nemanja Poznanović was named best goalkeeper and Zambia’s Joseph Banda earned the title of top goalscorer.
foto: Dražen Patarčić/HNS
"To be honest, we expected and intended to win this tournament from day one – we believed we were the best team here, and I think we proved that on the pitch. I’m happy with our performance here and I think we can be proud of ourselves. More than anything, I’m glad we managed to demonstrate how far unity can take a team,” said Žiković.
foto: Dražen Patarčić/HNS
The tournament in Osijek was organized with support from the FIFA Forward Development Programme. The final day of the tournament was followed by HNS president Davor Šuker, advisor to the president Zorislav Srebrić, HNS vice-president Ante Vučemilović Šimunović, head instructor Petar Krpan and diaspora instructor Aljoša Asanović.
foto: Dražen Patarčić/HNS
OSIJEK, Graski Vrt Stadium. Referee: Dario Bel. Goals: 1:0 Cukon (26’), 2:0 Prekodravac (33’), 3:0 Zvonarek (57’), 4:0 Duduković (65’).
CROATIA: Klarin (67’ Poznanović), Perković (67’ Žlibanović), Majdančić (72’ Plavec Marković), Čaić, Žiković (72’ Cvetko), Prekodravac (67’ Krivak), Cukon (61’ Duduković), Zvonarek (72’ Sekulić), Travaglia (67’ Kapulica), Vrbančić, Gec (61’ Kegalj). Head coach: Tomislav Rukavina.
Final standings: 1. Croatia, 2. Romania, 3. Qatar, 4. Zambia, 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6. Bulgaria, 7. North Macedonia, 8. Montenegro.
