Cyprus defeated in Pula

Mandžukić brace crowns good Croatian performance

04.09.2014.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Preparing for the start of the EURO 2016 qualifying campaing, Croatia beat Cyprus 2:0 in an international friendly match in Pula.

CROATIA - CYPRUS 2:0 (1:0)
International friendly.
Aldo Drosina Stadium, Pula.

Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)

Goalscorers: 1:0 - Mandžukić (18'), 2:0 - Mandžukić (58')

Yellow cards: Pašalić (63')

Croatia: Subašić, Strinić, Lovren, Ćorluka (69' Vida), Srna (78' Jedvaj), Modrić (61' Čop), Brozović, Kovačić (78' Pjaca), Halilović (69' Olić), Kramarić, Mandžukić (61' Pašalić). Izbornik: N. Kovač.

Cyprus: Giorgallidis (46' Kissas), Mertakkas, Makris, Alexandrou (70' Aloneftis), Sielis, Artymatas (46' Kyriakou), Charalambous, Angeli, Charalambides (61' Makridis), Aresti (50' Nikolau), Efrem (53' Christofi). Izbornik: C. Christodoulou

In its first match after the World Cup appearance in Brazil, Croatia entertained Cyprus in Pula and won 2:0.

Playful Croatia posed a serious threat to Cyprus goal from the very beginning. Halilović, Kramarić and Kovačić came close in the opening minutes, while Brozović header rattled the crossbar in 12th minute. Soon afterwards, Halilović almost surprised Giorgallidis from a free-kick.

Croatian supporters at Aldo Drosina Stadium finally celebrated a goal in 18th minute, when Modrić's perfect pass to Kramarić ended at Mandžukić's feet. Atletico Madrid striker easily put the ball into the net.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Cypriots had two corner kicks, and a promising counterattack a couple of minutes before the break, when Charalambides missed a good opportunity.

Still in the first half, Kramarić, Halilović and Madžukić all tried again to beat Giorgallidis, but Croatia took a one-goal lead to the second half.

Niko Kovač's men doubled their lead in 58th minute. Kovačić broke through Cyprus defence, and Mandžukić calmly waited for the rebound to make it 2:0.

Pašalić, Čop, Jedvaj and Pjaca made their first senior Croatia appearance, while goalkeeper Subašić made his contribution with an excellent save five minutes before the end, after a Christofi header from close range.

Croatia's victory could have been even more convincing, yet Pjaca hit the crossbar with an overhead kick in the dying minutes.

On Tuesday, Croatia will play Malta at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb.

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