Croatia qualify for 2018 World Cup after 0-0 draw with Greece
Croatia qualified for the 2018 World Cup finals after having a 0-0 draw in the 2nd leg of the playoffs against Greece on Sunday. With a substantial advantage from Thursday's 4-1 victory in Zagreb, Croatia easily held off the .
Greek hosts while they pressed for an upset.Croatia came closest to scoring in the 42nd minute when Ivan Perisic's powerful shot ricocheted off Greece's left post, with goalkeeper Orestis Karezis well beaten.Greece came closest to scoring in the 87th when Panagiotis Tachtsidis's shot in the area was deflected by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic's legs.Greece also had two shots go just wide – one by Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the initial half and another by Costas Mitroglou in the 2nd – but otherwise didn't threaten.Croatia coach Zlatko Lakic, who overran the team on October 7, downplayed their own role in qualification.“We've many quality players. I did so not need to create a lot of an endeavor,” Lakic said. “I ought to remind you there is an instructor before me and what's happening now could be caused by a shared effort.”
Greek hosts while they pressed for an upset.Croatia came closest to scoring in the 42nd minute when Ivan Perisic's powerful shot ricocheted off Greece's left post, with goalkeeper Orestis Karezis well beaten.Greece came closest to scoring in the 87th when Panagiotis Tachtsidis's shot in the area was deflected by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic's legs.Greece also had two shots go just wide – one by Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the initial half and another by Costas Mitroglou in the 2nd – but otherwise didn't threaten.Croatia coach Zlatko Lakic, who overran the team on October 7, downplayed their own role in qualification.“We've many quality players. I did so not need to create a lot of an endeavor,” Lakic said. “I ought to remind you there is an instructor before me and what's happening now could be caused by a shared effort.”
No comments