ZAGREB, (Reuters) – Croatia will have to overcome a sudden loss of form if they are to build on their impressive record of qualifying for major tournaments when they face Iceland in the return leg of their World Cup playoff today.
They have made it through to seven out of nine World Cups and European Championships as an independent nation but a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Reykjavik has left the tie in the balance.
Having missed the 2010 tournament in South Africa, failure to reach next year’s event in Brazil would spell disaster for success-hungry fans who expect more from a talented generation of players led by Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric.
Coach Igor Stimac made way for novice Niko Kovac after Croatia picked up only one point in their last four Group A matches.
Having scraped into the playoffs, they could only muster a tepid performance against Iceland, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, with few signs of improvement.
“It’s difficult to turn things around overnight but I believe we are on the right track, although we failed to score against a side inferior in every department in terms of quality,” veteran defender Josip Simunic told reporters yesterday.
“This is a crucial match for this generation and we have to be more intelligent in the return leg as well as prepared for any situation,” he said.
