Tie loose, hands wringing, Slaven Bilic resembles an executive under strain
as he prowls the touchline in his suit, but despite this result and the
outcome in Estonia, the Croatia coach will not be gripping his stress
ball too tightly. The top of group E looks closer to England now than
it did before kick-off last night, but it is more distant than it seems.
Israel have moved level on points with Bilic's team at the top of group
E and England are two points closer, but Croatia's performance was strong
here, even if the outcome was underwhelming. They showed a purpose and
conviction that England too often lack and only poor finishing - and the
absence of help from a mischievous pitch, maybe - saved a lukewarm Russia
from the fate suffered by Steve McClaren's men here last year.
Croatia and Russia are yet to taste defeat in qualifying and the latter
are wily and well-drilled by Guus Hiddink, the coach and one-time potential
England target. Still, on this evidence, Russia can be beaten when they
visit Wembley in September. Hiddink conceded that they can be overawed:
take note, 90,000 England fans and McClaren's star names.
If that is encouraging for England, there were bad omens here in Zagreb
last night, too. There was nothing to suggest that Croatia will fade down
the home straight, while even two wins from England's next two matches
will probably not be enough to make up ground on Bilic's team. On September
8, the night that England host Israel, Croatia are at home to Estonia.
Four days later, Russia visit London and Croatia play Andorra.
Croatia are helped by their home form, although fortresses do not come
much stranger than the Maksimir Stadium. Undergoing renovation and with
four discordant stands in various states of (dis)repair, it resembles
something Dali might have built out of Lego.
The pre-match build-up, meanwhile - featuring cars driving slowly and
repeatedly around the pitch for advertising purposes, cheerleaders trying
to avoid becoming roadkill and the fans lustily bellowing along to soft-rock
music cheesier than a crate of Camembert - seemed likely to raise eyebrows
rather than the temperature.
Yet the place has magic because Croatia have not been defeated in a competitive
match in their country since the debate was whether David Beckham would
make it with Manchester United, let alone reach 100 England caps.
The record stands at 32 games over 13 years and it rarely looked in jeopardy
last night. 'We showed a lot of respect for Croatia, which is a very strong
team, in my opinion favourite [to win the group],' Hiddink said. 'I think
we had too much respect, we forgot to play with ambition. You can say
that both teams lost two points. But we can be satisfied.'
It was easy to see why England bumbled and bobbled their way to defeat
here. Aside from the constant cacophony from the stands, Croatia, their
direct running from midfield hugely impressive, present a myriad of attacking
threats. The greatest is Eduardo da Silva, although it was not his evening.
The striker seemed certain to score after 25 minutes as inept defending
resulted in the ball falling to him in the six-yard box, but he prodded
over. After the break he dawdled when clean through and the chance vanished.
Rare sights. Da Silva is a naturalised Croat who travelled to the country
from Rio de Janeiro aged 15. Nine years later he has amassed 71 goals
in 100 games for Dynamo Zagreb and headed the opening goal in England's
2-0 defeat last year.
Although Russia's players should be at peak fitness because they are in
the middle of their domestic season, while Bilic fretted after last weekend's
tepid win over Estonia that his men are tired, it was the visiting team
who were leaden-legged until late in the second half. Russia, who beat
Andorra at the weekend, woke only after Josip Simunic headed against their
bar. Croatia's winner did not come, but at least that proud unbeaten run
was preserved, and there is every reason to expect that it will be extended.
