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The Croatian national team began preparations for the upcoming World Cup on Tuesday by crushing Austria's team 4-1.
In the qualifying cycle without losing any matches, the Croats scored two goals in the first half of Tuesday's victory. Ivan Klasnić, star of Werder Bremen, scored two goals in the first half, while Marko Babic and Bosko Balaban each added one in the second half.
"I am very satisfied with our performance," said Croatia's national team coach Zlatko Kranjcar after the match. "At the beginning of the game, we faced a very well-organized defense, but we managed to break through it with individual skill. Also, we were able to capitalize on the chances we created."
Klasnić put the Croats ahead 11 minutes after a great offensive play from Dado Pršo and with Babic's support. However, just three minutes later, the Austrians who did not qualify for the World Cup managed to equalize with a very strange goal - captain Andreas Ivanschitz scored directly from a corner kick as goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa crossed the goal line with the ball in his hands.
Klasnić restored the guests' lead ten minutes before the end of the first half with an individual effort that outsmarted three defenders and Austria's goalkeeper Helge Payer.
Although Kranjcar decided to substitute Klasnić during halftime, the Croatian offense did not weaken. In the second half, Babic scored after about ten minutes, with a shot that ricocheted into the goal.
The fourth goal in the match was scored by Balaban in the 69th minute, just minutes after appearing on the field, successfully converting a penalty kick.
Remember, at the World Cup, Croatia will play in Group F along with Brazil, Australia, and Japan.
