Cagey Croats Squeak Past Austria

Croatia has opened its Euro 2008 campaign with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over host nation Austria in Vienna today.

The Austrians put in a spirited performance after going behind to a Luka Modric penalty early on, and will consider themselves unlucky to have not gained a draw, as they dominated significant parts of the game especially in the second half.

Croatia failed to test the Austrian goal after going ahead, and the overall performance will worry manager Slaven Bilic with tricky matches against Poland and tournament favourites Germany to come.

Bilic will also be concerned that Croatia's indifferent form leading up to the tournament was evident throughout much of this match, with the side lacking a cutting edge in the absence of injured striker Eduardo.

Neither team sprang any selection surprises, with Borussia Dortmund striker Mladen Petric continuing alongside Ivica Olic in place of Eduardo up front.

Croatia's intent to score an early goal was clear from the outset, and its efforts were helped invaluably after being awarded a penalty in the 4th minute.

Clever footwork from Modric played in Olic, who was needlessly, but clumsily brought down in the penalty area by Rene Aufhauser.

Modric stepped up and coolly sent the ball down the middle to hand Croatia the early lead.

The goal settled Croatian nerves, as the midfield, with the diminutive Modric pulling the strings, settled into a comfortable rhythm which stifled Austrian efforts to gain a foothold in the game.

The full-backs Vedran Corluka and Daniel Pranjic also caused Austria grief down the flanks in the early stages, as their overlapping runs troubled Austria's three central defenders as they found space behind the wing backs.

Croatia nearly went two up inside the first quarter hour, as a dangerous whipped free kick from Darijo Srna flashed across the box, but despairing dives from Olic and Petric failed to turn the ball home.

Austrian initial chances were limited to speculative shots from distance, with Jurgen Saumel, Sebastien Prodl and Aufhauser all trying their luck, but all failed to test the comfortable Stipe Pletikosa in Croatia's goal.

But as the half wore on, Croatia's rhythm was curbed, as captain Niko Kovac and Modric were driven further back as Austria enjoyed good spells of possession, and it was the Austrians who finished the half looking the better team.

Austria's best chance of the opening half came in the 40th minute, after inspirational captain Andreas Ivanschitz slipped in winger Martin Harnik, but towering defender Josip Simunic blocked his square ball out for a corner with the largely unsighted striker Roland Linz ready to pounce.

The second half brought more of the same, with Croatia content to soak up possession and play on the counter attack.

After trading long shots that sailed harmlessly over, the Austrians seized the initiative as Croatia began unnecessarily giving the ball away in midfield.

When Modric drifted out of the game as he became crowded out, Austria, led by the tricky Harnik down the right and plucky substitute Korkmaz Umit on the left flank made life extremely difficult for the Croatian full-backs, which until then were mostly untested.

All 3 of Austria's substitutes, including the 38-year-old Ivica Vastic, had a significant impact on the game, as Croatia's defence became pegged on the edge of its own 18-yard-box.

Pletikosa was forced into a number of saves, especially from hanging crosses played into the area for the third substitute Roman Kienast, as the central defensive pairing of Simunic and Robert Kovac grew increasingly anxious.

The introduction of target man Igor Budan for the tireless Petric late in the game failed to ease Croatian nerves, as Korkmaz forced a full-stretch save from Pletikosa in the 86th minute, whilst Kienast's stoppage time header from Ivanschitz's free kick drifted only just wide, with Pletikosa spectating.

The final whistle was greeted by sighs of relief from the Croatian players and fans, as the team failed to test Austrian keeper Jurgen Macho once after the 4th minute goal.

Ratings

Austria
21 - Macho - 7 - Little to do after penalty.
2 - Standfest - 6 - Inconsistent with crosses.
3 - Stranzl - 6 - Decent.
4 - Pogatetz - 6 - Lucky to still be on the pitch at half time.
6 - Aufhauser - 5 - Clumsy tackle for penalty.
9 - Linz - 5 - Anonymous.
10 - Ivanschitz (c) - 6 - Drifted in and out.
12 - Gercaliu - 6 - Worked hard.
15 - Prodl - 7 - Solid at the back.
19 - Saumel - 6 - Worked hard.
20 - Harnik - 7 - Excellent second half.

(SUB) 7 - Vastic - 6 - Decent cameo.
(SUB) 11 - Korkmaz - 7 - Lively.
(SUB) 18 - Kienast - 7 - A handful.

Croatia
1 - Pletikosa - 8 - Safe when called upon.
3 - Simunic - 6 - Couple of important interventions, but looked shaky.
4 - R. Kovac - 6 - Austrian pace worried him.
5 - Corluka - 7 - Excellent first half, quiet second half.
10 - N. Kovac (c) - 6 - Decent game.
11 - Srna - 6 - Free kicks were disappointing, but worked hard.
14 - Modric - 8 - Class act, if a little in and out.
18 - Olic - 7 - Tireless, but lacked finishing product.
19 - Kranjcar - 5 - Anonymous.
21 - Petric - 7 - Tireless, but too in and out.
22 - Pranjic - 6 - Harnik ran him ragged in the second half.

(SUB) 8 - Vukojevic - 5 - Little impact.
(SUB) 15 - Knezevic - 5 - Struggled with Kienast after coming on.
(SUB) 20 - Budan - 5 - Little impact.