CROATIA - AUSTRALIA 1:0 (0:0)
International friendly.
Governador Roberto Santos Stadium, Salvador.
Referee: Francisco Carlos do Nascimento (Brazil)
Goalscorers: 1:0 - Jelavić (58')
Yellow cards: Vida (44'), Mandžukić (64'), Srna (84')
Croatia: Pletikosa, Pranjić (25' Vrsaljko), Lovren, Vida, Srna, Brozović, Modrić (59' Rakitić), Kovačić (59' Sammir), Perišić (67' Rebić), Eduardo (77' Olić), Jelavić (59' Mandžukić). Izbornik: N. Kovač.
Australia: Ryan, Franjić, Špiranović, Davidson, Wilkinson, Jedinak (74' Holland), Vidošić (55' Halloran), Milligan (81' McKay), Cahill (66' Bresciano), Oar (81' Troisi), Leckie (85' Taggart). Izbornik: A. Postecoglou.
On 31 May, Croatia beat Mali in Osijek 2:1, and on Friday in Salvador managed to overcome Australia as well, in the final World Cup preparation phase, with Nikica Jelavić scoring the decider.
As predicted, Australia stood firm against Croatia, and Niko Kovač's men managed to produce only one dangerous Modrić cross in the opening minutes, together with Socceroos goalie Ryan's mistake.
Eduardo then came close after a Jelavić pass, but Ryan stopped the Croatian striker's shot. Moreover, Pranjić was forced to leave the pitch due to injury.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Second half eventually produced a goal, that was to prove decisive. In the 58th minute, Modrić tried to break through the Australian defence, and the ball ended at Jelavić's feet, who put it at the back of the net off the crossbar.
Croatia head coach Niko Kovač used Rakitić, Sammir, Rebić, Olić and Mandžukić as substitutes, with the latter having another injury scare in the closing minutes.
Croatia now awaits World Cup opening against the host nation, Brazil, on 12 June in Sao Paulo.
