Croatia held by improving Hungary

Croatia held by improving Hungary




Hungary 1-1 Croatia
A week after defeating holders Greece, Hungary denied another UEFA EURO 2008™ contender as they held Croatia to a draw in Budapest.
First XI
Midfielder Niko Kovač scored at both ends – giving the visitors a 23rd-minute lead only to undo his good work by getting the last touch as Tamás Vaskó attempted to scramble an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Croatia coach Slaven Bilić had said beforehand that his starting lineup would be the one to take the field against Austria on 8 June, but a number of players failed to deliver and he may be forced into a rethink.

Nervous
Croatia started brightly, an Ivica Olić run ending with the forward setting up Kovač whose shot was well saved by Márton Fülöp. The goalkeeper was not so confident when trying to collect a Darijo Srna corner midway through the half, however, and Kovač was on hand to head Croatia in front. Bilić's side also looked nervous at the back, and hesitation from No1 Stipe Pletikosa – combined with Vaskó's persistence and an unfortunate deflection – contributed to Kovač's 44th-minute own goal.

Skipper wary
Kovač, Croatia's captain, came close to nodding in another Srna corner in the 53rd minute, his effort striking both crossbar and post before being gathered by Fülöp, but a draw was a fair result as the teams traded late chances. Kovač said: "We played against a very good side who beat Greece. We have to be aware that Austria will also be strong in our first EURO match and that won't be easy."

Croatia: Pletikosa, Ćorluka, R Kovač (Knežević 62), Šimunić, Pranjić, Srna, N Kovač, Modrić, Kranjčar (Vukojević 62), Petrić (Klasnić 46), Olić (Rakitić 46).

Hungary: Fülöp, Bodnár, Vaskó, Juhász, Bodor, Gera, Dárdai (Szélesi 88), Vadócz, Dzsudzsák (Orosz 63), Hajnal, Huszti