Doha friendly

Croatia's last-minute lapse sees Slovenia equalize

26.03.2022.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia and Slovenia shared the spoils (1:1) in the first March friendly in Qatar.

CROATIA - SLOVENIA 1:1 (1:0)
International friendly.
Education City Stadium, Doha.

Referee: A. Jamali (Kuwait).

Goals: 1:0 - Kramarić (39’), 1:1 - Bijol (90+1')

Cautions: Zajc (18'), Budimir (25'), Perišić (72')

Croatia: Livaković, Ćaleta-Car (72’ Vida), Pongračić, Gvardiol, Juranović, Modrić (69’ Pašalić), Jakić, Kovačić (69’ Majer), Perišić (72’ Oršić), Budimir (69’ Livaja), Kramarić (72’ Vlašić). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Slovenia: Oblak, Blažič, Bijol, Brekalo, Karničnik (78’ Stojanović), Gnezda Čerin (63’ Stankovič), Kurtič, Sikošek (78’ Črnigoj), Zajc (78’ Zahovič), Šporar (63’ Šeško), Lovrič (63’ Verbič). Head coach: M. Kek.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Zlako Dalić's men, already qualified for the World Cup, used the March international window to visit the host country and test some options for the upcoming challenges.

Against Slovenia, Croatia took the lead as Ćaleta-Car found Kramarić, who fired past Oblak in one of rare first-half opportunities. Perišić soon came close to second.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

After the break, Modrić and Juranović tried a shot, while Livaja and Oršić couldn't find the target in the closing minutes to seal Croatia's win.

A minute into added time, Slovenia capitalized on a corner, as Bijol's header crossed the line to secure a 1:1 draw.

On Tuesday, Croatia faces Bulgaria in another Doha friendly.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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