Previous Encounters:
Croatia and Australia have played four friendly matches. Australia will want to forget the
thrashing they received in Zagreb (7:0) on 6th June 1998 but will take some consolation
from the two wins and a draw they achieved Down Under in 1992: (0:0) in Sydney on the 12th
of July; (3:1) in Adelaide on the 8th of July; and (1:0) in Melbourne on the 5th of July.
The Match:
Croatia got themselves off to a perfect start when Darijo Srna scored from a free-kick in
the third minute; a blistering shot, over the wall and into the top left-hand corner.
Three minutes later, Australia were denied a penalty when Mark Viduka
was brought down by Josip Simunic; Aussie Rules style.
Australia started to attack more, with Kewell firing low and hard, as
they searched out the equaliser before Croatia could double the lead and put the game
beyond their reach.
The pressure eventualy paid off when Stjepan Tomas flung his arm at
the ball, as he jumped for a clearing header in the penalty area. Craig Moore converted
from the spot; straight down the middle.
Half-time: (1:1).
A goalkeeping area allowed Croatia to go back in front in this crucial
game; as Nico Kovac's weak shot bobbled past Zeljko Kalac.
Eleven minutes from time, Harry Kewell levelled the score; to put
Australia through to the Second Round.
Graham Poll, the English referee, then went mad with the cards in the
final minutes; as the game turned into a farce.
Final Score:
Croatia 2 - Australia 2
Goalscorers:
1:0 Darijo Srna (3)
1:1 Craig Moore (39pen)
2:1 Nico Kovac (56)
2:2 Harry Kewell (79)
Teams
Croatia:
1 Stipe Pletikosa; 3 Josip Simunic, 5 Igor Tudor, 7 Dario Simic,
13 Stjepan Tomas; 2 Darijo Srna, 8 Marko Babic, 10 Nico Kovac,
19 Niko Kranjcar; 9 Dado Prso, 18 Ivica Olic.
Australia:
18 Zeljko Kalac; 2 Lucas Neill, 3 Craig Moore; 4 Tim Cahill, 5 Jason Culina, 7 Brett
Emerton, 13 Vince Grella, 14 Scott Chipperfield, 21 Mile Sterjovski; 9 Mark Viduka, 10
Harry Kewell.
Substitutions:
63 Mins (Australia) - 15 John Aloisi on for 13 Vince Grella
65 Mins (Croatia) - 16 Jerko Leko on for 19 Niko Kranjcar
71 Mins (Australia) - 23 Marco Bresciano on for 21 Mile Sterjovski
73 Mins (Croatia) - 14 Luka Modric on for 18 Ivica Olic
75 Mins (Australia) - 19 Joshua Kennedy on for 14 Scott Chipperfield
84 Mins (Croatia) - 17 Ivan Klasnic on for 13 Stjepan Tomas
8 Yellow
Cards:
32 Mins - Dario Simic (Croatia)
38 Mins - Igor Tudor (Croatia)
62 Mins - Josip Simunic (Croatia)
70 Mins - Stipe Pletikosa (Croatia)
81 Mins - Brett Emerton (Australia)
85 Mins - Dario Simic (Croatia)
87 Mins - Brett Emerton (Australia)
93 Mins - Josip Simunic (Croatia)
3 Red Cards:
85 Mins - Dario Simic (Croatia)
87 Mins - Brett Emerton (Australia)
93 Mins - Josip Simunic (Croatia)
