The Croatian U-21 national team recorded a minimum score of 1:0 against Georgia in the first match of the play-off for placement in the European Championship.
GEORGIA – CROATIA 1:0 (Soldo – og 4′)
Georgia: Kharatishvili, Azarovi (Morchiladze 90′) Ugrekhelidze, Latsabidze, Maisuradze, Mamageishvili G. (Sigua 66′), Mamageishvili O. (Gordeziani 75′), Odisharia, Gagnidze, Kvernadze, Mamatashvili (Abuashvili 66′)
Croatia: Čavlina, Cvijanović, Badelj, Vušković, Valinčić, Zvonarek (Kolić 63′), Soldo, Hodža (Barzić 90+5′), Ivanović (Šoticek 59′), Frigan, Stojković (Crnac 59′)
Croatia conceded a goal already in the match’s opening minutes, and by an unfortunate turn of events, Marko Soldo scored an own goal. The ball awkwardly bounced off him after Moris Valinčić hit it hard, giving Georgia an early lead.
In the 61st minute, Nikola Čavlina made a mistake when receiving the ball, which the Georgian players took advantage of and headed for the goal. To prevent a goal, Čavlina was forced to start at the opponent, earning him a straight red card. Franko Kolić jumped into the goal immediately, while Lovro Zvonarek left the field. It was a difficult situation for the young Vatren – with one less player, they tried to make up for the deficit, but the score did not change until the end of the match.
After the young Croatian national team’s minimal defeat in Georgia in the European Championship qualifiers, coach Ivica Olić emphasizes that nothing is over yet and that the second half will be played in Rijeka, at home.
After the game, Coach Ivica Olić reviewed the loss against Georgia and added that everything is still open and that the team will show its quality in Rijeka in the return match.
After that initial shock, we must have been slightly shocked, as well as the players themselves. However, the players reacted very quickly and in a quality way, and in my opinion, we controlled the game very well. We had half chances in the second half when we introduced three new players and went for a goal. We didn’t have 100%, but there were good opportunities – it was felt that the opponent was falling. We got that red card that turned the game in a different direction, but we knew this was the first half. Nothing would be different if 1:0 for us because the game is not over. What makes me happy is the reaction after the red card, the players did their best, the result is open and I believe in going through. I believe that we also saw today that we are a better team, and I am sure that we will be real in Rijeka and qualify for the European Championship – said Olić
The coach adds that the players did not lose heart because the whole team knew that on Tuesday, November 19, they had an opportunity to make amends.
The players didn’t sink. I think that the red card lifted them. Because they were also aware that it was only the first half. We also saw the reaction of our Kolić, who entered. It certainly wasn’t easy for him. He added a dose of calm and a few great reactions; he left us in the game 1:0 or 0:00 or 0:1, no matter what. We saw that we are a better team, have more quality, and have width, and I believe in passing – concluded Olić
The players didn’t sink. I think that the red card lifted them. Because they were also aware that it was only the first half. We also saw the reaction of our Kolić, who entered. It certainly wasn’t easy for him. He added a dose of calm and a few great reactions; he left us in the game 1:0 or 0:00 or 0:1, no matter what. We saw that we are a better team, have more quality, and have width, and I believe in passing – concluded Olić
The return match against Georgia is scheduled for November 19 in Rijeka at 7:00 p.m.
SOURCE: Croatian Football Federation
