CROATIA - GEORGIA 2:1 (1:1)
International friendly.
Aldo Drosina Stadium, Pula.
Referee: A. M. Sant (Malta)
Goals: 0:1 - Papunashvili (19'), 1:1 - Kashia (25' - og), 2:1 - Perišić (53')
Cautions: -
Croatia: Kalinić (46' Sluga), Melnjak, Škorić, Jedvaj (46' Ćaleta-Car), Bartolec (46' Juranović), Kovačić (65' Vlašić), Badelj, Pašalić (75' Perić), Perišić, Rebić, Oršić (46' Rog). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
Gruzija: Makaridze, Navalovski, Khocholava (80' Grigalava), Kashia, Kakabadze (39' Shengelia), Aburjania, Jighauri, Gvilia (83' Kvilitaia), Qazaishvili (87' Kharaishvili), Papunashvili (64' Kiteishvili), Lobjanidze (51' Arabuli). Head coach: V. Weiss.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In the final 2019 appearance, Croatia encountered Georgia at Aldo Drosina Stadium in Pula as the visitors have already begun to prepare for the EURO 2020 play-offs in March.
The Vatreni have opened the match with a couple of promising opportunities, but captain Perišić and Oršić could not beat Makaridze, while Jighauri missed a golden chance on the other side of the pitch.
Georgia, though, took the lead on 19 minutes, as Papunashvili found space to shoot from the edge of the box to beat Kalinić. The equalizier came just six minutes later: Oršić crossed from a set-piece, and Kashia diverted the ball into his own net.
In the following Croatia's attack Perišić hit the crossbar, with Rebić, Kovačić and Badelj all trying to score before the break.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia introduced four substitutes in the second half, with one of them soon to provide an assist. It was Juranović to cross from the right on 53 minutes, and Perišić headed the ball home.
Later on, Rebić continued his quest for a goal, Melnjak tried a long-range effort, while Georgia was looking for a second mainly in the closing minutes, as rain poured down and Croatia was playing without injured Vlašić and Juranović. However, goalkeeper Sluga and home side's defence interved to retain the victory for the current FIFA World Cup runners-up.
Croatia now awaits March 2020 to prepare for the upcoming European Championships, scheduled from 12 June to 12 July.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
